armful

noun

arm·​ful ˈärm-ˌfu̇l How to pronounce armful (audio)
plural armfuls ˈärm-ˌfu̇lz How to pronounce armful (audio) also armsful ˈärmz-ˌfu̇l How to pronounce armful (audio)
: as much as the arm or arms can hold

Examples of armful in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The career lady struggled toward us with an armful of binders. Joseph O’Neill, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 The hit causes the mail carrier to drop an armful of mail onto the street. Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 7 Mar. 2024 Eager for her expensive and refined taste to be immortalized on canvas, Iselin instructed a maid to follow her into the drawing room carrying an armful of her best Parisian frocks. Leah Dolan, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 One woman brought an armful of Styrofoam containers containing food and handed it to the National Guard troops on duty. USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2024 The tot has a closet full of designer goodies just like his mom, from an entire Yeezy sneaker collection to an armful of Dolce & Gabbana sweatsuits, Gucci tracksuits, Fendi strollers and more. Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 9 Nov. 2023 Stop by and ask for an armful of boughs to take home, then use a heavy-duty floral wire to fix them together. Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2023 Another who approached with an armful of Hoover books has somehow forgotten her copy of her favorite, Layla, so Hoover gives her one for free. Lucy Feldman, Time, 10 July 2023 Overflowing with keys, makeup, and the occasional baguette, and often touted alongside an armful of market finds, magazines, pastry boxes, and a fading cigarette, Birkin’s rounded wicker bag was her first hallmark style stamp. Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 17 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'armful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of armful was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near armful

Cite this Entry

“Armful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/armful. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

armful

noun
arm·​ful ˈärm-ˌfu̇l How to pronounce armful (audio)
plural armfuls -ˌfu̇lz How to pronounce armful (audio) or armsful ˈärmz-ˌfu̇l How to pronounce armful (audio)
: as much as a person's arm can hold
an armful of books
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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