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

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

Over time, the slim medium-size cube became my portable underwear drawer; the wide small pouch was my outdoor gear bag (beanie, gloves, handkerchief, swimsuit, and foldable cap); and the wide medium size held my bras and socks. —Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Jan. 2026

Wednesday’s home defeat against Manchester City leaves the Spaniard with just three wins across his last 10 games, but fans inside the Bernabeu stopped short of the white handkerchief-waving protest that often marks the death throes of a Los Blancos head coach. —Jack Bantock, New York Times, 12 Dec. 2025

All Ingrid is left with is her father’s bloody handkerchief. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2025

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