fistful

[fist-fool]

noun

plural

fistfuls 

1. a handful.

   a fistful of pennies.

Spelling Note

See -ful.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fistful¹

First recorded in 1605–15; fist ¹ + -ful

Example Sentences

In other words, a fistful of beans does not become valuable simply because you paid a cow for them.

Read more on Literature

He dug into his trouser pockets and came out with fistfuls of grain, which he scattered on the ground.

Read more on Literature

Once you know those, you’re free to riff — to add lemon zest or nutmeg or a fistful of herbs — the culinary equivalent of adding fringe.

Read more on Salon

Out of Africa won a fistful of awards, but Havana was badly received and lost money at the box office.

Read more on BBC

As the firefighters pulled on their protective yellow jackets and pants, and filled their drip torches with a mixture of diesel and gasoline, Nielson bent down and grabbed a fistful of the yellow grass.

Read more on Los Angeles Times