Handful
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈhæn(d)fʊl/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Handful is a noun meaning The amount that a hand will grasp or contain.
Meaning
The amount that a hand will grasp or contain.
More Meanings
- A small number, usually approximately five.
- A group or number of things; a bunch.
- (informal) Something which can only be managed with difficulty.
- (obsolete) A hand's breadth; four inches.
- (slang) A five-year prison sentence.
Example Sentences
Those twins are a real handful to look after.
This handful of men were tied to very hard duty.
Knap the tongs together about a handful from the bottom.
You tell me the velocity of a baseball as it leaves Derek Jeter's bat, and I can use the laws of physics to calculate where it will land a handful of seconds later.
Word Forms
- handfuls
- handsful
- handfull
Synonyms for handful
Depending on context, synonyms include fistful, handbreadth, handsbreadth, smattering.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include fistful, smattering, handhold, handle, clutch, grip.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.