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

: kerchief sense 1

Synonyms of handkerchief

• madras
• bandanna

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

He was believed to be a Black man, 50 years old or older, at the time of his death, and was found wearing size 32 pants, white boxer-style underwear, a white handkerchief, and one dark sock. —Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026

Particular mostly to Louisiana weddings, the second line parade is quite the celebratory tradition in which a brass band and parasol-wielding newlyweds lead their guests, who wave handkerchiefs or napkins, on a festive jaunt through the city (or around their reception venue). —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026

The showing marked a sharp contrast from the 2025 Gala, which had featured less advanced versions of the robots twirling handkerchiefs in a wobbly folk dance. —Dylan Butts,matthew Chin, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026

The touches of personal embroidery on little muslin handkerchiefs and the ‘ghost’ handbags were a clever touch. —Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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

: kerchief sense 1