kerchief

American  

[kur-chif, -cheef] / ˈkɜr tʃɪf, -tʃif /

noun

1. a woman's square scarf worn as a covering for the head or sometimes the shoulders.

2. a handkerchief.

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kerchief British  

/ ˈkɜːtʃɪf /

noun

1. a piece of cloth worn tied over the head or around the neck

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Other Word Forms

• kerchiefed adjective
• kerchieft adjective

Etymology

Origin of kerchief

1250–1300; Middle English kerchef, syncopated variant of keverchef < Old French cuevrechef literally, (it) covers (the) head. See cover, chief

Example Sentences

And as early as 1617, when the teenage Velázquez painted a kitchen maid with umber skin and a white kerchief, Spain clearly had developed an art market for paintings depicting people of color.

From New York Times • Apr. 7, 2023

Models in white platform boots sported shiny looks like a glistening dress in cobalt blue with a matching kerchief tied at the neck.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 27, 2022

With his affectation for a kerchief tied around his neck and popped-collar jacket, Bogdanovich cut a singular figure as he often made public appearances to speak about his films or those of his filmmaking heroes.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2022

They ranged in age from elderly women to a pre-teen girl, who wore a green kerchief wrapped around her neck.

From Washington Times • Dec. 13, 2019

Making a wry mouth, she removed her kerchief and drew out the other two pins.

From "The Devil's Arithmetic" by Jane Yolen