noun
kerchief
KUR-chihf
Kerchief (noun) means a square of cloth worn over the head or tied around the neck. Example: “She tied a bright kerchief over her hair before heading out into the wind.”
noun
1
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
1
To cover or wrap something with a kerchief.
"She kerchiefed her hair before starting the housework."
How to use kerchief
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA simple cloth head covering or neck scarf.
Common pairings
tie a kerchief
a headkerchief
silk kerchief
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Word forms
- Plural
- kerchiefs, kerchieves
- Third person singular
- kerchiefs
- Past tense
- kerchiefed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She tied a bright _____ over her hair before heading out into the wind.
Etymology
From Old French couvre-chief, literally "cover-head" — the same "chief" element meaning "head" survives in words like "chief" and "kerchief" itself.
Rhymes for kerchief
See all rhymes for kerchief →Frequently asked questions
What does “kerchief” mean?
The word “kerchief” means a square of cloth worn over the head or tied around the neck. In plain terms, a simple cloth head covering or neck scarf.
How do you pronounce “kerchief”?
“Kerchief” is pronounced KUR-chihf (/ˈkɝ.t͡ʃɪf/ in IPA).
How do you use “kerchief” in a sentence?
Here is “kerchief” used in a sentence: “She tied a bright kerchief over her hair before heading out into the wind.”
What part of speech is “kerchief”?
Depending on how it is used, “kerchief” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “kerchief” come from?
The word “kerchief” comes from Old French. From Old French couvre-chief, literally "cover-head" — the same "chief" element meaning "head" survives in words like "chief" and "kerchief" itself.
How many meanings does “kerchief” have?
“Kerchief” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a square of cloth worn over the head or tied around the neck.
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