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

Yardley wasted no time in searching the purse but found nothing except $15, a key and two or three handkerchiefs. —Peter Zablocki, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Feb. 2025

While walking down the aisle, Fletcher carried a special heirloom — a handkerchief that has been passed down on her mother's side of the family since her grandfather and his brother brought it back from World War II. —Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025

That was a handkerchief pattern because there was this whole cowboy, cowgirl undertone to the whole thing. —Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 15 Oct. 2024

At noon on the first day of the festival, around five thousand people gather in the town square and wave a red handkerchief. —Jordan-Marie Smith, NPR, 7 Feb. 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