handful
/'hændful/
Definition
- Noun:
- A quantity that can be held in one hand: The amount of something, typically a loose material like sand, coins, or rice, that fits when scooped or grasped in a single hand.
- A small, indefinite number or amount: Used to describe a number of people or things that is not large, often implying it is less than expected or desired.
- (Informal) A person or thing that is difficult to manage or control: Refers to someone, often a child, or a situation that is troublesome or challenging to handle.
Examples
Quantity held in the hand: She scooped up a handful of sand and let it trickle through her fingers. He gave the horse a handful of oats.
A small number or amount: Only a handful of people attended the meeting on a rainy night. A handful of companies dominate the global market.
A difficult person or thing: Her toddler is a real handful when he's tired. Managing the merger has been quite a handful for the new CEO.
Advanced Usage
"a handful of times": on a very few occasions. I've only been there a handful of times in my life.
"more than a handful": an amount greater than what one can easily manage or control. The project's complexity is more than a handful for a single person.
Variants and Related Words
- Armful (n): an amount that can be held in one's arms.
Synonyms
- Few: a small number of.
- Smattering: a small, scattered amount.
- Troublemaker: a person who causes difficulties (for the "difficult person" sense).
Related Phrases
- A handful of something: This is the standard prepositional phrase used with the primary meanings.
Related Idioms
- A handful: When used alone (often with "be" or "have"), it typically means a difficult person or situation.
Noun
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the quantity that can be held in the hand
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a small number or amount
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only a handful of responses were received
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