- 1[countable] handful (of something) the amount of something that can be held in one hand a handful of rice She scooped up handfuls of loose earth.
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- 2[singular] handful (of somebody/something) a small number of people or things Only a handful of people came. They cannot hope to win more than a handful of seats at the next election.
- 3a handful [singular] (informal) a person or an animal that is difficult to control Her kids can be a real handful.
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