armful: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral
Quick answer
What does “armful” mean?
The amount that can be carried in one arm or both arms.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The amount that can be carried in one arm or both arms.
A large, often unmanageable, quantity of something that one can hold.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
None significant. Spelling and usage are identical.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “armful” in a Sentence
an armful of [COUNTABLE/UNCOUNTABLE NOUN]armfuls of [COUNTABLE/UNCOUNTABLE NOUN]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “armful” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He armfuled the firewood into the shed. (rare/archaic, not standard)
American English
- She armfuled the groceries onto the counter. (rare/archaic, not standard)
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial use.
American English
- No standard adverbial use.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjectival use.
American English
- No standard adjectival use.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used.
Academic
Rarely used, may appear in descriptive passages.
Everyday
Common for describing carrying a load of items.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “armful”
- Using for abstract concepts (e.g., *an armful of time).
- Incorrect plural: 'armfulls' instead of 'armfuls'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's an informal, imprecise measure of quantity.
Rarely and awkwardly. It typically describes discrete, solid items.
'Armfuls' (preferred) or 'armsful'. 'Armfuls' is more common.
No, 'armful' is a noun. The verb 'to armful' is non-standard and archaic.
The amount that can be carried in one arm or both arms.
Armful is usually neutral in register.
Armful: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɑːmfʊl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɑːrmfʊl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He came in with arms full of shopping. (common descriptive phrase)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ARMful – a FULL ARM of something.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER (the arms as a container for a quantity).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'armful' primarily quantify?