handful

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A handful is a small amount or quantity of something.

When we talk about a handful, we often think of holding a small amount of things in our hand - just enough for one person to grasp. For example, if you're baking cookies and someone asks for "just a handful", they mean just a little bit. You might take a few nuts out of the jar or sprinkle some sugar on top of a muffin. The idea is that it's not too much, but just right - easy to hold in your hand.

How common is "handful"?

Word handful is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.

Definitions

noun

The amount that a hand will grasp or contain.
(obsolete) A hand's breadth; four inches.
A small number, usually approximately five.
A group or number of things; a bunch.
(informal) Something which can only be managed with difficulty.
Example: Those twins are a real handful to look after.
(slang) A five-year prison sentence.