armful

What embraces hold

An armful is the quantity that can be held in one or both arms, typically pressed against the chest or body.

The word suggests a substantial but manageable load—not so heavy it requires special equipment, but enough to occupy your carrying capacity.

She gathered an armful of wildflowers.

He staggered in with an armful of firewood.

Like handful and mouthful, armful can also suggest an approximate or generous amount rather than a precise measure.

container

armload

Quantity one carries

basketfulContainer's full contents
boxfulContainer's entire contents
bagfulQuantity a sack holds

bucketful · handful · bundle · bunch · sack · carton · crate · tray · stack · pile

quantity

load

Carried weight or burden

bunchGrouped collection of items
heapJumbled collection of items
pileAccumulated mass of objects

stack · mass · bundle · collection · batch · assortment · accumulation · cluster · grouping · amount

embrace

hug

Tight, affectionate clasp

cuddleAffectionate close embrace
holdMaintain in grasp
claspSecuring device that clicks

squeeze · cradle · enfold · wrap · snuggle · nestle · carry · clutch · gather · scoop

cargo

firewood

Cut logs for burning

laundryItems needing cleaning
groceriesFood bought at stores
flowersPlant reproductive structures

books · blankets · towels · packages · parcels · kindling · linens · clothes · supplies · produce

Categories

Informal Amountssmidgen, bunch, ton, heap, loads
loadsload, armload, boatload, busload, carload
bulk quantitiesload, shipment, carload, truckload, boatload
collectionscollection, collections, anthology, anthologies, compilation
quantitiessome, many, few, amount, several

Opposites

quantity/load size

Amount a palm holds

pinch · smidgen · trace · bit · speck

Family

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G