Definition of HANDFUL

handful

Meanings

Plural: handfuls, handsful

Noun

  • a small number or amount
    • "only a handful of responses were received"
  • the quantity that can be held in the hand
  • The amount that a hand will grasp or contain.
  • A hand's breadth; four inches.
  • A small number, usually approximately five.
  • A group or number of things; a bunch.
  • Something which can only be managed with difficulty.
  • A five-year prison sentence.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English handful, hondful, from Old English handfull (“handful”), from Proto-Germanic *handufullō, *handufulliz (“handful”), from Proto-Germanic *handuz (“hand”) + *fullaz (“full”); equivalent to hand + full (“fullness, plenty”) or hand + -ful. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Hondful (“handful”), West Frisian hânfol (“handful”), Dutch handvol (“handful”), German Handvoll (“handful”), Danish håndfuld (“handful”), Swedish handfull (“handful”), Icelandic handfylli (“handful”).

Scrabble Score: 14

handful is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
handful is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
handful is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

handful is a valid Words With Friends word