handful
An amount of something that is small enough to hold in one hand.
An amount of a substance or small objects that you can hold in one hand.
A very small number or amount of people or things.
A very small number or quantity of people or things.
A person or animal who is hard to control or look after because they are very active or cause problems.
A person or animal that is difficult to control, manage, or deal with, especially because they are very active or cause trouble.
- Base: handful
- Plural: handfuls, handsful
a handful of
1a very small number or amount
Used before a noun to mean a very small number or amount of people or things.
- Only a handful of people knew the secret.
- We still need a handful of volunteers for Saturday.
- There are just a handful of cookies left in the box.
be a handful
1be hard to control or handle
To be difficult to control, care for, or deal with, usually because you are very active or cause problems.
- The twins can be a handful when they get excited.
- This class is really a handful on Friday afternoons.
- That new puppy is going to be a handful for you.