Handful definition
A small, undefined number or quantity.
Only a handful of people on the street.
noun
(informal) As much as one is able to manage; someone or something hard to manage.
noun
(informal) One that is difficult to control or handle.
The hyperactive toddler is a real handful.
noun
A relatively small number or amount.
A mere handful of people.
noun
The amount that a hand can hold.
noun
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As much or as many as the hand will hold.
noun
The definition of a handful is defined as a small amount or the amount of something that would fit in your hand.
An example of a handful is the number of people in the audience for the local music show.
An example of a handful is the amount of peanuts that fit in your hand when you reach into a bowl.
noun
Something which can only be managed with difficulty.
Those twins are a real handful to look after.
noun
Handful is defined as much as you can handle of something.
An example of a handful is a small child who is overactive.
noun
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A small quantity, usually approximately equal to five, the number of fingers on a hand.
This handful of men were tied to very hard duty. - Fuller.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
handful
Plural:
handfuls, handsfulOrigin of handful
- From Middle English, from Old English handful (“handful”), from Proto-Germanic *handfullą, *handfullō, *handfulljô (“handful”), from Proto-Germanic *handuz (“hand”), *fullaz (“full”), equivalent to hand + full (“fullness, plenty”). Cognate with West Frisian hânfol (“handful”), Dutch handvol (“handful”), Danish håndfuld (“handful”), Swedish handfull (“handfull”), Icelandic handfylli (“handful”).
From Wiktionary