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View synonyms for

handful

[ hand-fool ]

noun

plural handfuls.
  1. the quantity or amount that the hand can hold:

    a handful of coins.

  2. a small amount, number, or quantity:

    a handful of men.

  3. Informal. a person or thing that is as much as one can manage or control:

    The baby's tantrums made him a handful.



handful

/ ˈæԻʊ /

noun

  1. the amount or number that can be held in the hand
  2. a small number or quantity
  3. informal.
    a person or thing difficult to manage or control
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Spelling Note

See -ful.
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Word History and Origins

Origin of handful1

before 900; Middle English, Old English. See hand, -ful
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Netanyahu has lashed out at the protesters, dismissing their concerns as "propaganda lies", spread by "a small handful of fringe elements – loud, anarchist and disconnected pensioners, most of whom haven't served in years".

From

Following a diplomatic push by China, Taiwan - officially known as the Republic of China - is only recognised by a handful of countries.

From

Only a handful of ecosystem restoration projects were attempted, hampered by shoestring budgets.

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Increasing staff numbers was tested in a handful of stores around the time Mr Niccol joined the firm in September 2024.

From

Ludlow's team-mate Christian Wade went on to suggest one of Exeter's Welsh players was the source of the misguided assessment and Gloucester's motivation, narrowing the possible candidates down to a handful.

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