armful

[ahrm-fool]

noun

plural

armfuls 

1. as much as a person can hold or carry in an arm or both arms.

2. Informal.,  a girl or woman with a well-rounded figure.

3. Informal.,  an obstreperous child; handful.

armful

/ ˈɑːmfʊl /

noun

1. the amount that can be held by one or both arms

Spelling Note

See -ful.

Word History and Origins

Origin of armful¹

First recorded in 1570–80; arm ¹ + -ful

Example Sentences

I snag an armful of graphic T-shirts and stuff them into the luggage.

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The woman scooped an armful of tutus from a bin and dumped them in Penelope’s arms.

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She jumped up and lugged another armful of reference books to the table, which she then arranged in size order.

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With a flourish, the maître d’ held back an armful of foliage so that Penelope could enter the leafy, secluded room.

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Nearby, others told the BBC of a local pharmacy being looted in Black River, describing anarchy as people ran in and out carrying armfuls of drugs and alcohol.

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