C1noun2K

Handful

UK /["/ˈhændfʊl/"]/US /["/ˈhændfʊl/"]/

Definition

the amount of something that can be held in one hand

In simple words: A small number of something you can hold in one hand.

Examples

  • a handful of rice
  • She scooped up handfuls of loose earth.
  • She bent and pulled up a double handful of weeds.
  • She grabbed handfuls of the dirty snow.
  • Only a handful of people came.
  • They cannot hope to win more than a handful of seats at the next election.
  • We have received only a handful of emails on this subject.
  • She has a good handful of (= several) Hollywood roles under her belt.
  • Her children can be a real handful.

Usage notes

Use 'handful' when referring to a small, manageable amount. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English, but avoid it in very formal contexts. For example, instead of saying 'a handful of people attended', you might simply say 'a few people attended' in formal writing.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'handful' like holding a few beans in your hand, just a small amount.

Collocations

  • good
  • double
  • handful of
  • small
  • tiny
  • mere
  • handful of
  • just a handful of something
  • only a handful of something

Synonyms

  • few
  • smattering
  • several
  • small number
  • bit

Antonyms

  • multitude
  • plentiful
  • vastness

Common mistakes

  • 'Handful' is sometimes misused to mean a larger quantity than intended.
  • Learners might confuse 'handful' with 'handfuls', thinking it's plural when used with countable nouns.
  • 'Handful' is often capitalized incorrectly at the beginning of a sentence.