handkerchief

Language: en

🇬🇧 /ˈhæŋkətʃɪf/ 🇺🇸 /ˈhæŋkɜrtʃɪf/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    A small square piece of cloth, typically carried in a pocket or purse, used for wiping the nose, face, or hands.; A piece of cloth worn around the neck or head as a decorative accessory or for protection from the sun or dust.; A small cloth used as a signal or token, especially in historical or ceremonial contexts.; In the hanky code, a handkerchief of a particular color worn in a back pocket to indicate sexual preferences or interests.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: handkerchiefs, handkerchieves

Collocations

silk handkerchieflace handkerchiefwhite handkerchiefpocket handkerchiefblow one's nose into a handkerchief

Synonyms

hankytissuenapkinclothkerchief

Commonly confused

neckerchief
EN: A 'neckerchief' is specifically a cloth worn around the neck, while a 'handkerchief' is a small square of cloth carried in a pocket for wiping the nose or hands.
hanky
EN: 'Hanky' is simply the informal/colloquial shortening of 'handkerchief' with the same meaning.

Spelling tips

EN: The plural can be either 'handkerchiefs' or 'handkerchieves' — both are correct, though 'handkerchiefs' is more common in modern usage. Note the silent 'h' in the middle: 'hand-ker-chief', not 'hand-ker-cheif'.

💬 Examples

  1. She pulled a lace handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed her eyes.

  2. The cowboy tied a red handkerchief around his neck to shield himself from the dust.

  3. The judge dropped his handkerchief to signal the start of the race.

  4. In the 1970s, the hanky code used colored handkerchiefs to communicate desires in gay bars.