handful

/ˈhændfʊl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhændfʊl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhan(d)-ˌfu̇l/ (ame, mw)

handful — noun

  • handfulsingular
  • handfulsplural

1. The quantity of something — such as sand, berries, or coins — that fits comforta

1.名詞A2
釋義

The quantity of something — such as sand, berries, or coins — that fits comfortably inside a closed hand.

例句

Walid picked up a handful of dry sand and let it run through his fingers.

countable noun phrase: a handful of + uncountable noun

The recipe calls for a handful of fresh basil leaves chopped into small pieces.

a handful of + countable plural noun

同義詞
  • fistful

    Emphasises a tightly closed fist rather than an open handful; more forceful or dramatic.

  • scoop

    A larger, cupped quantity; used especially for dry goods like flour or rice.

文法句型

a handful of + [uncountable noun]

用法筆記

This sense is always used with the indefinite article 'a' and is followed by 'of' before the noun describing what is held.

常見錯誤

❌She held a sand in her hand.
✅She held a handful of sand in her hand.
💡'handful' specifies the quantity, not just the sand itself.

2. Used to describe a group that is notably small — often fewer than expected — whe

2.名詞B1
釋義

Used to describe a group that is notably small — often fewer than expected — whether referring to people, objects, or occurrences.

例句

Only a handful of students signed up for the early morning lecture on Fridays.

a handful of + plural countable noun (people)

A handful of countries have successfully landed spacecraft on the surface of the Moon.

同義詞
  • few

    More neutral; does not carry the same 'surprisingly small' connotation as 'handful'.

  • minority

    Used when the small group is contrasted with a larger group; more formal.

  • sprinkling

    Suggests things are scattered or spread out rather than gathered together.

反義詞
  • many

    A large number, the opposite of 'few'.

  • crowd

    A large group of people, contrasting with a small handful.

文法句型

a handful of + [plural countable noun]

用法筆記

The emphasis is on surprise or contrast — the number is smaller than expected or possible. Often used with 'only', 'just', or 'merely'.

常見錯誤

❌A handful of people attended the conference' (when 50 people came).
✅Only a handful of people attended the conference' (when 3 people came).
💡'handful' implies a very small number, not just 'some'.

3. A person — especially a child — or an animal whose energetic, disobedient, or de

3.名詞B2
釋義

A person — especially a child — or an animal whose energetic, disobedient, or demanding behaviour makes them hard to manage.

例句

Their youngest son is a real handful — he never sits still during class.

predicative: be a handful (informal)

The new puppy is an absolute handful; she has chewed three pairs of shoes this week.

同義詞
  • troublemaker

    Deliberately causes problems; 'handful' does not imply bad intentions, only difficulty in management.

  • live wire

    Describes someone full of energy; less negative than 'handful'.

  • handful (of work)

    Less common; some dialects extend 'handful' to projects or tasks, but this is non-standard.

文法句型

a handful (predicative after 'be' or 'become')

用法筆記

Always singular and used with the indefinite article. Common intensifiers: 'a real handful', 'quite a handful', 'an absolute handful'. Typically describes children or pets, but can extend to any person whose behaviour is a challenge.

常見錯誤

❌This homework is a handful.
✅This homework is tough.
💡'handful' in this sense describes living beings, not tasks or objects.
❌They are handfuls.
✅They are a handful.
💡Always singular after 'be', even when referring to multiple people.