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

• babushka
• bandanna
• bandana
• do-rag
• kerchief
• madras
• mantilla

Example Sentences

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

Ravished features the author’s name in large dark pink font, a light pink background with a lacey handkerchief, and the title of the book in swirling, cursive font. —Hazlitt, 8 Feb. 2023

Let each person in turn be blindfolded and try to pin a heart of the corresponding size over the heart on the handkerchief. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2023

Tucked inside the light pink clutch were notes, a handkerchief, a nail file, pencils, photographs, a miniature diary and a calendar dated to April 1959. —Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Dec. 2022

Claire wore a sleeveless trumpet gown with lace detailing, while George sported a black tuxedo with a red handkerchief. —Charlotte Walsh, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2023

Fasten a large white handkerchief on the wall or door. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2023

Using a pair of scissors, one of the doctors cut the sleeve off his jacket and tried to stanch the wound with a clean handkerchief. —David Remnick, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2023

Last March, my mom mailed me two homemade masks: one that’s a bit too thin to wear on its own and another that’s sewn together from a white handkerchief edged with scalloped lace. —Diana Budds, Curbed, 15 Apr. 2021

Dressed smartly as usual, in a double-breasted gray suit, with a white handkerchief and a dark polka-dot bow tie, Truman was always in a hurry. —CBS News, 5 June 2020

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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