B2nounsociety
US/ˈhænd.fʊl/
UK/ˈhænd.fʊl/
a small number of people or things; or the amount you can hold in one hand
In context
Only a handful of students passed the exam this year.
She took a handful of nuts from the bowl.
A handful of shops in the town stay open after nine.
Words that go with handful
noun + preposition
- a handful ofA handful of people turned up.
adjective + noun
- only a handfulOnly a handful of seats were left.
- a mere handfulA mere handful of fans stayed until the end.
- a small handfulAdd a small handful of herbs to the soup.
verb + noun
- grab a handfulHe grabbed a handful of coins from his pocket.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
A handful students passed the test.Correct: A handful of students passed the test.