pocketful

/'pɔkitful/

Thân thiện

A child pulls a pocketful of colorful marbles from their jeans.

Definition

Noun: 1. The amount that a pocket can hold: This refers to the quantity of items or the volume of material that can be contained within a single pocket. 2. A considerable but indefinite amount: Informally, it can describe a sizable quantity of something, often money.

Examples

• :
  • He gave the child a pocketful of coins.
  • She collected a pocketful of seashells on the beach.
  • He came home with a pocketful of receipts.

Advanced Usage

• Figurative Use: Can be used to imply having a lot of something, especially problems or responsibilities.
  • He's got a pocketful of troubles right now.
• Used with "of": Always followed by "of" to specify the contents (e.g., a pocketful nuts, a pocketful cash).

Variants and Related Words

• Pocket (n): A small bag sewn into or on clothing for carrying small articles.
• Pocket (v): To take or keep for oneself, especially dishonestly.
• Pocket-sized/Pocket-size (adj): Small enough to fit in a pocket.

Synonyms

• Handful
• Pouchful
• Sackful (though this implies a larger container)

Idioms

• A pocketful of sunshine: A phrase used to describe a small source of happiness or hope.
  • Her cheerful letter was a pocketful of sunshine on a gloomy day.
• Out of pocket: Having paid for something with one's own money; also, in a position of having lost money.
  • I was out of pocket for the taxi fare.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the quantity a pocket will hold