fistful

/ˈfɪstfʊl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfɪstfʊl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfist-ˌfu̇l/ (ame, mw)

fistful — noun

  • fistfulsingular
  • fistfulsplural

1. the amount of small items or loose material that fits inside your closed hand

1.名詞B1
釋義

the amount of small items or loose material that fits inside your closed hand

例句

Keiko grabbed a fistful of popcorn from the bowl and settled into her seat.

A fistful of pebbles landed on the tin roof when Boris threw them.

start of sentence: 'A fistful of' as subject

同義詞
  • handful

    more common and neutral; 'fistful' emphasizes the closed fist holding the items

  • grip

    focuses on the act of holding tightly rather than the quantity itself

文法句型

a fistful of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Typically followed by 'of' + a noun phrase naming the substance or small objects being held. Cannot be used with liquids or gases.

常見錯誤

❌She poured a fistful of water into the glass.
✅She poured some water into the glass.
💡'Fistful' can only describe solid objects or loose materials that fit inside a closed hand, not liquids.

2. a notable number or collection of things, used to emphasize that there is an abu

2.名詞B2
釋義

a notable number or collection of things, used to emphasize that there is an abundance of something

例句

At the film festival, the young director collected a fistful of awards.

fistful of + awards (figurative, abundance)

Serena carried a fistful of keys, each for a different door in the old hotel.

同義詞
  • handful

    also refers to a small number when used figuratively; 'fistful' always suggests abundance

  • bunch

    more informal, often for similar items grouped together

  • stack

    suggests items arranged on top of each other, more specific in meaning

反義詞
  • trickle

    suggests a very small amount arriving slowly over time

文法句型

a fistful of + plural noun phrase

用法筆記

Used figuratively with plural countable nouns that represent categories such as achievements, documents, or abstract items. The image suggests that the items are so numerous they could fill the hand.

常見錯誤

❌Only a fistful of students came to the lecture.
✅Only a handful of students came to the lecture.
💡'Fistful' emphasizes a large amount; use 'handful' for small numbers.