Synonyms of handkerchief

handkerchief

noun

ˈhaŋ-kər-chəf 

1

as in madras

a scarf worn on the head

tied a handkerchief around her head and set about cleaning out the dust-covered attic

Synonyms & Similar Words

• madras
• bandanna
• kerchief
• mantilla
• babushka
• shawl
• do-rag
• hankie

2

as in towel

a small, often square piece of material that is used for personal hygiene purposes

usually dries her hands on her handkerchief when there are no towels available

Synonyms & Similar Words

• towel
• napkin
• kerchief
• hankie
• tissue
• serviette
• bandanna

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of handkerchief

After Brodie tapped in, Rodriguez, ever the showman, playfully placed a handkerchief over the ex-QB’s eyes before lining up his own birdie putt from 12 feet. —Mike Sando, New York Times, 26 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

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

Some are silky, some are spikey, and some — like the one worn by stately maidservant Hero, played by Emma Corrin — look like handkerchiefs delicately dropped from a great height onto the head of its wearer. —Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025