What does basketful mean?
A basketful is the quantity of material — whether fruit, laundry, flowers, or any other goods — needed to fill a basket. The term functions as both a literal measure and a figurative expression of abundance: one might speak of a basketful of complaints or a basketful of opportunities just as easily as a basketful of cherries. It belongs to a productive family of English measure-words formed with the suffix '-ful', such as handful, armful, and spoonful, all of which convert containers into convenient units of quantity. The word is informal to neutral in register and appears frequently in everyday speech and writing about harvests, shopping, picnics, and domestic chores. Its plural is usually 'basketfuls', though the older-style 'basketsful' also occurs. Charming and concrete, it lends warmth and homeliness to descriptions of plenty.
nounThe amount that a basket can hold; a quantity of things sufficient to fill a basket.
- The amount contained in a basket.
- A large quantity of something (figurative or hyperbolic use).
"She gathered a basketful of fresh strawberries from the garden."
"He carried in a basketful of freshly baked bread for the picnic."
"The charity received a whole basketful of donations after the appeal."
Also written as 'basketsful' in older or British usage; 'basketfuls' is now the more common plural.
"They harvested several basketfuls of tomatoes before noon."
A single word that turns an ordinary container into a unit of measurement — English lets you count love, patience, and apples all by the basketful.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of basketful
Basketful is formed from the noun 'basket', combined with the suffix '-ful', which in this context derives from the Old English 'full' meaning fullness or as much as something holds. The compound follows the pattern of other English quantity words such as handful and spoonful. Its use became established in English several centuries ago as part of a broader family of container-based measures.
How basketful is actually used
Informal to neutral register. Commonly used with food items, laundry, or gifts. Plural can be either 'basketfuls' or (less commonly) 'basketsful'.
Easily confused with basketful
'Basketsful' is the alternative plural form of the same word, while 'basketful' in singular refers to one basket's contents.
A 'basket case' is an informal term for a person who is extremely anxious or helpless, unrelated to the quantity meaning of 'basketful'.