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
Synonyms
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
The quiet inside the church had been disturbed only by the rustling of suit cloth as attendees moved to grab handkerchiefs and others abruptly inhaled.
—
Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 3 May 2024
Connecticut women, like the 25-year-old schoolteacher Kezia Peck, traveled great distances to attend Wide Awake rallies, hollering slogans and waving handkerchiefs.
—Jon Grinspan, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
Wearing a bow tie, pocket handkerchief, crop top and shorts, Jenny Slate stands on a shiny circular platform on the distressed BAM Harvey theater stage.
—Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024
In the video, Lopez flipped to a photo of herself during her nuptials wearing a version of Ralph Lauren's classic turtleneck column dress that featured a thousand handkerchiefs to create a voluminous ruffle skirt.
—Abby Stern, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024
Fashion-wise, women were dressed in cloche hats, tubular silhouettes with drop waists, and handkerchief hemlines boldly skimming shins—which were on show for the very first time.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2024
The years from 1934 to 1949 are blank like her handkerchief.
—Joanna Biggs, Harper's Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024
The episode ends with Mel wetting a handkerchief and charging into the burning house.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2023
Danson, 76, opted for a classic black tuxedo for his red carpet look but added a touch of flair with a black-and-white polka dot tie and pocket handkerchief.
—Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024
Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 3 May 2024
Connecticut women, like the 25-year-old schoolteacher Kezia Peck, traveled great distances to attend Wide Awake rallies, hollering slogans and waving handkerchiefs.
—Jon Grinspan, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
Wearing a bow tie, pocket handkerchief, crop top and shorts, Jenny Slate stands on a shiny circular platform on the distressed BAM Harvey theater stage.
—Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024
In the video, Lopez flipped to a photo of herself during her nuptials wearing a version of Ralph Lauren's classic turtleneck column dress that featured a thousand handkerchiefs to create a voluminous ruffle skirt.
—Abby Stern, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024
Fashion-wise, women were dressed in cloche hats, tubular silhouettes with drop waists, and handkerchief hemlines boldly skimming shins—which were on show for the very first time.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2024
The years from 1934 to 1949 are blank like her handkerchief.
—Joanna Biggs, Harper's Magazine, 10 Jan. 2024
The episode ends with Mel wetting a handkerchief and charging into the burning house.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2023
Danson, 76, opted for a classic black tuxedo for his red carpet look but added a touch of flair with a black-and-white polka dot tie and pocket handkerchief.
—Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'handkerchief.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to handkerchief
Dictionary Entries Near handkerchief
Cite this Entry
“Handkerchief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handkerchief. Accessed 18 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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