-ful

 
Syllabification:

suffix

  • 1(forming adjectives from nouns) full of: sorrowful
  • having the qualities of: masterful
  • 2forming adjectives from adjectives or from Latin stems with little change of sense: grateful
  • 3(forming adjectives from verbs) apt to; able to; accustomed to: forgetful watchful
  • 4 (plural -fuls) forming nouns denoting the amount needed to fill the specified container, holder, etc.: bucketful handful

Origin:

from full1

The combining form -ful is used to form nouns meaning ‘the amount needed to fill’ ( cupful, spoonful, etc.). The plural form of such words is cupfuls, spoonfuls, etc. Three cups full would denote the individual cups rather than a quantity measured in cups: on the sill were three cups full of milk; add three cupfuls of milk to the batter.