handkerchief
noun
hand·ker·chief
ˈhaŋ-kər-chəf 
-(ˌ)chif,
-ˌchēf
plural handkerchiefs also handkerchieves
ˈhaŋ-kər-chəfs
-(ˌ)chifs,
-ˌchēvz,
-ˌchēfs,
-chəvz,
-(ˌ)chivz
1
: a small usually square piece of cloth used for usually personal purposes (such as blowing the nose) or as a clothing accessory
2
Synonyms
Examples of handkerchief in a Sentence
tied a handkerchief around her head and set about cleaning out the dust-covered attic
usually dries her hands on her handkerchief when there are no towels available
Recent Examples on the Web
Connecticut women, like the 25-year-old schoolteacher Kezia Peck, traveled great distances to attend Wide Awake rallies, hollering slogans and waving handkerchiefs.
—
Jon Grinspan, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
Wearing a bow tie, pocket handkerchief, crop top and shorts, Jenny Slate stands on a shiny circular platform on the distressed BAM Harvey theater stage.
—Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024
In the video, Lopez flipped to a photo of herself during her nuptials wearing a version of Ralph Lauren's classic turtleneck column dress that featured a thousand handkerchiefs to create a voluminous ruffle skirt.
—Abby Stern, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024
Fashion-wise, women were dressed in cloche hats, tubular silhouettes with drop waists, and handkerchief hemlines boldly skimming shins—which were on show for the very first time.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2024
The years from 1934 to 1949 are blank like her handkerchief.
—Joanna Biggs, Harper's Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024
The episode ends with Mel wetting a handkerchief and charging into the burning house.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2023
Danson, 76, opted for a classic black tuxedo for his red carpet look but added a touch of flair with a black-and-white polka dot tie and pocket handkerchief.
—Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024
It is performed by a string of dancers who grab onto one another as a leader twirling a stick, handkerchief, or beads sets the pace.
—Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2024
Jon Grinspan, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
Wearing a bow tie, pocket handkerchief, crop top and shorts, Jenny Slate stands on a shiny circular platform on the distressed BAM Harvey theater stage.
—Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024
In the video, Lopez flipped to a photo of herself during her nuptials wearing a version of Ralph Lauren's classic turtleneck column dress that featured a thousand handkerchiefs to create a voluminous ruffle skirt.
—Abby Stern, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024
Fashion-wise, women were dressed in cloche hats, tubular silhouettes with drop waists, and handkerchief hemlines boldly skimming shins—which were on show for the very first time.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2024
The years from 1934 to 1949 are blank like her handkerchief.
—Joanna Biggs, Harper's Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024
The episode ends with Mel wetting a handkerchief and charging into the burning house.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2023
Danson, 76, opted for a classic black tuxedo for his red carpet look but added a touch of flair with a black-and-white polka dot tie and pocket handkerchief.
—Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024
It is performed by a string of dancers who grab onto one another as a leader twirling a stick, handkerchief, or beads sets the pace.
—Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'handkerchief.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to handkerchief
Dictionary Entries Near handkerchief
Cite this Entry
“Handkerchief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handkerchief. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
handkerchief
noun
hand·ker·chief
ˈhaŋ-kər-chəf
-(ˌ)chif,
-ˌchēf
plural handkerchiefs also handkerchieves
-chəfs
-(ˌ)chifs,
-ˌchēvz,
-ˌchēfs,
-ˌchəvz,
-ˌchivz
1
: a small piece of cloth used for wiping the face, nose, or eyes
2
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