noun

kerchief

KUR-chihf

noun

A square of cloth worn over the head or tied around the neck.

"She tied a bright kerchief over her hair before heading out into the wind."

"He wore a red kerchief knotted at his throat."

verb

To cover or wrap something with a kerchief.

"She kerchiefed her hair before starting the housework."

How to Use Kerchief

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA simple cloth head covering or neck scarf.

Common pairings

tie a kerchief a headkerchief silk kerchief

kerchiefed past tense, kerchiefs plural, kerchieves plural, kerchiefs singular

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She tied a bright _____ over her hair before heading out into the wind.

From Old French couvre-chief, literally "cover-head" — the same "chief" element meaning "head" survives in words like "chief" and "kerchief" itself.

fief brief thief chief grief belief relief debrief mischief disbelief handkerchief