# handkerchief

/ˈhæŋkɝtʃif/ (US) · /hˈændkətʃˌiːf/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/handkerchief
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a small square of cloth used for blowing your nose or wiping your face. You usually keep it in your pocket or bag.

For teachers: a square piece of fabric, typically cotton or linen, intended for personal hygiene or as a clothing accessory. Often contrasted with disposable paper tissues.

## Examples

- He pulled a clean handkerchief from his pocket.
- She offered her silk handkerchief to her friend, who was crying after the movie.
- While paper tissues have largely replaced the traditional cloth handkerchief for hygiene, it remains a staple of formal menswear as a decorative pocket square.

## Usage notes

- The plural can be spelled as either 'handkerchiefs' or 'handkerchieves', though the former is more common in modern English.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.