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
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
Wiping the sweat from his forehead with his handkerchief, Tibbets could make out a variety of scrawled messages; one declared, To Emperor Hirohito, from the Boys of the Indianapolis.
—
Literary Hub, 24 July 2025
Madison Mogen's father, Ben, looked agitated and was breathing heavily, rubbing his eyes with a handkerchief.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 2 July 2025
Participants dressed completely in white with red handkerchiefs then proceed to soak one another until their clothes turn deep purple.
—Isabelle Rodney, CNN Money, 29 June 2025
As officials bickered over who had the right to investigate, the crime scene was overrun by gawkers who pocketed souvenirs and tampered with crucial evidence — including an unknown man’s handkerchief, a pair of glasses and the gun used in the murder.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for handkerchief
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Literary Hub, 24 July 2025
Madison Mogen's father, Ben, looked agitated and was breathing heavily, rubbing his eyes with a handkerchief.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 2 July 2025
Participants dressed completely in white with red handkerchiefs then proceed to soak one another until their clothes turn deep purple.
—Isabelle Rodney, CNN Money, 29 June 2025
As officials bickered over who had the right to investigate, the crime scene was overrun by gawkers who pocketed souvenirs and tampered with crucial evidence — including an unknown man’s handkerchief, a pair of glasses and the gun used in the murder.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for handkerchief
Cite this Entry
“Handkerchief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handkerchief. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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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