handkerchief

American  

[hang-ker-chif, -cheef] / ˈhæŋ kər tʃɪf, -ˌtʃif /

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.

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handkerchief British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of handkerchief

First recorded in 1520–30; hand + kerchief

Explanation

A handkerchief is a square of fabric that you can use to blow your nose. You can also tuck a handkerchief in the breast pocket of a suit, or wear it tied jauntily around your neck. You can call a handkerchief a "hanky," or just a kerchief, although this more often means "a square piece of cloth worn as a head covering." This last part of handkerchief comes from the Old French couvrechief, literally meaning "cover head," from couvrir, "cover," and chief, "head." So a handkerchief is a similar cloth held in the hand — to mop your brow or wipe your eyes.

Example Sentences

Afterwards Nawat appeared at a press conference wearing a tuxedo and openly weeping as he theatrically dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief, claiming he had been "betrayed".

From Barron's • Nov. 6, 2025

Mr. Pärt has referred to music as “the handkerchief for drying my tears of sadness, the source of my tears of joy.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 27, 2025

At one point, while giving his evidence, he became emotional while looking at photos and wiped his eyes with a handkerchief.

From BBC • Oct. 1, 2025

Indeed, using the flag as a handkerchief has at least twice led to courts-martial.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2025

From time to time, he’d stop what he was doing, take his handkerchief out of his pants pocket, and mop away beads of sweat on his forehead.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo

Related Words

• bandana
• scarf