fistful

American  

[fist-fool] / ˈfɪst fʊl /

noun

plural

fistfuls

1. a handful.

   a fistful of pennies.

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Spelling

See -ful.

Etymology

Origin of fistful

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

Example Sentences

Grace reached into a drawer, grabbed a fistful of Ugandan shilling notes, and handed over the cash.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

Banks, investment funds, governments, and insurance companies bought them by the fistful.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

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.

From Salon • Nov. 4, 2025

And finally a grinning Dafydd Jenkins grabbed a fistful of Chessum's shirt, pulling it up over the England lock's mouth like a parent dabbing at a toddler's grubby face.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2025

Then he jammed his hand into the bush and snatched a fistful of roses, the thorns needling into his fingers and palm.

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds