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

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

Next to her, someone’s head was bandaged with someone else’s handkerchief and bled through it immediately. —Jim Shepard, New Yorker, 8 June 2025

Lance Jimenez, a Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigator, said the explosive was made from a 40-ounce Olde English 800 malt liquor bottle and a silky designer handkerchief. —Michael R. Sisak, Arkansas Online, 30 May 2025

Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigator Lance Jimenez testified that the device was assembled using an Olde English 800 bottle, gasoline, a designer handkerchief and a lighter. —Bethany Brown, People.com, 29 May 2025

Jimenez said the explosive device was made from a 40-ounce Olde English bottle with a designer handkerchief used as a wick. —Jenna Sundel joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 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