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

/ ˈhændfʊl /

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

Spelling Note

See -ful.

Word History and Origins

Origin of handful¹

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

Example Sentences

Most of the money to these groups has come from extremely large contributions from a handful of donors.

From Los Angeles Times

People seeking asylum are housed in "miserable" conditions while "millions in public money… is simply taken in profit by a handful of private companies", says the letter.

From BBC

The show ended in 2006, having earned a handful of Emmy and Peabody Awards.

From Los Angeles Times

They range from major multinationals, such as Bosch, down to small firms with a handful of employees, and they include companies which are heavily reliant on a single customer: JLR.

From BBC

Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated and a handful remain missing.

From BBC