noun
handkerchief
HANG-kuht-shihf
noun
1
A small square of cloth carried for wiping the nose, face, or hands.
"He offered her a clean handkerchief when she started crying."
"Her grandmother still irons her cotton handkerchiefs."
2
A similar piece of cloth worn around the neck.
"He tied a red handkerchief around his neck before the ride."
How to Use Handkerchief
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small cloth used to wipe your face or nose, or sometimes worn as a neckerchief.
UK vs US
In casual British English often shortened to "hankie"; in American English "tissue" (paper) has largely replaced it for everyday use.
Word Forms
handkerchiefs plural, handkerchieves plural
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He offered her a clean _____ when she started crying.
Etymology
From "hand" + "kerchief" (itself from Old French couvre-chief, "cover for the head").