noun
fistful
FIHST-fuul
Fistful (noun) means the amount of something that fits in one closed hand. Example: “He grabbed a fistful of sand and let it run through his fingers.”
noun
1
The amount of something that fits in one closed hand.
"He grabbed a fistful of sand and let it run through his fingers."
"She handed over a fistful of coins."
2
A small quantity of something.
"Only a fistful of supporters showed up to the rally."
How to use fistful
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs much as one hand can grab and hold — or, loosely, just a small amount.
Common pairings
a fistful of cash
a fistful of dollars
a fistful of dirt
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Word forms
- Plural
- fistfuls, fistsful
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He grabbed a _____ of sand and let it run through his fingers.
Etymology
From "fist" plus the suffix "-ful," meaning "an amount that fills."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for fistful
See all rhymes for fistful →Frequently asked questions
What does “fistful” mean?
The word “fistful” means the amount of something that fits in one closed hand. In plain terms, as much as one hand can grab and hold — or, loosely, just a small amount.
How do you pronounce “fistful”?
“Fistful” is pronounced FIHST-fuul (/ˈfɪstˌfʊl/ in IPA).
How do you use “fistful” in a sentence?
Here is “fistful” used in a sentence: “He grabbed a fistful of sand and let it run through his fingers.”
What part of speech is “fistful”?
“Fistful” is a noun.
How many meanings does “fistful” have?
“Fistful” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the amount of something that fits in one closed hand.
