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

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

Word forms

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.

Etymology

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

Origin: Old French

Rhymes for kerchief

fief brief thief chief grief belief relief debrief mischief disbelief handkerchief

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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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