handkerchief

[hang-ker-chif, -cheef]

noun

1. a small piece of linen, silk, or other fabric, usually square, and used especially for wiping one's nose, eyes, face, etc., or for decorative purposes.

2. a neckerchief or kerchief.

handkerchief

/ ˈhæŋkətʃɪf, -tʃiːf /

noun

1. a small square of soft absorbent material, such as linen, silk, or soft paper, carried and used to wipe the nose, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of handkerchief¹

First recorded in 1520–30; hand + kerchief

Example Sentences

At the forefront is Unitree, which went viral in January after its humanoid robots performed a Chinese folk dance live, marching rhythmically while tossing and twirling handkerchiefs.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Penelope used one of her own pocket handkerchiefs to wipe the thick layer of dust from the atlas.

Read more on Literature

Alexander and Beowulf searched their pockets for clean handkerchiefs, but they had used all theirs on the long journey from Ashton Place.

Read more on Literature

As we steamed into the harbor, passengers on ferryboats waved their hats & handkerchiefs at us.

Read more on Literature

He says he knows from experience the perilous nature of racing, with jockeys balanced over a saddle the size of a large handkerchief and horses bunched together running up to 40 miles an hour.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bandana www.thesaurus.com
• scarf