What does handkerchief mean?
A handkerchief is a small piece of cloth, traditionally linen or cotton, used to wipe the nose, mouth, or hands. It may be square or rectangular and is often folded or carried in a pocket, especially in older clothing and formal or traditional dress. In modern everyday use, disposable tissues have largely replaced the handkerchief for hygiene, but cloth handkerchiefs remain associated with elegance, courtesy, and a deliberately old-fashioned charm. The word also appears in expressions describing someone waving a cloth to signal, celebrate, or appeal for help. Although its basic sense is straightforward, the term carries a literary or nostalgic quality and can suggest careful manners or romantic refinement. It remains readily understood in British and American English, and the familiar forms “hankie” and “hanky” are especially common in informal speech.
nounA small, usually square piece of cloth used especially for wiping the nose, mouth, or hands. It may also be carried in a pocket or used as a small signaling flag.
- A small square or rectangular piece of cloth, traditionally made of linen or cotton, used for wiping the nose, mouth, or hands and sometimes carried in a pocket.
"He folded the linen handkerchief carefully before placing it in his breast pocket."
"She passed him a clean handkerchief after he sneezed."
"From the balcony, the crowd waved white handkerchiefs as the train departed."
The regular plural takes the ending “-s.”
"The shop sells embroidered handkerchiefs in several colors."
A handkerchief can be a sign of celebration, distress, or surrender: the meaning of waving one depends entirely on the situation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of handkerchief
The English compound dates from the early 15th century and was formed from “hand” and “kerchief.” Its second element came through Middle English “coverchief” from Old French “couvre-chef,” literally “a covering for the head.” The expression was later understood or modified as referring to a cloth carried or used by the hand.
Related word forms
How handkerchief is actually used
The word has a traditional, mildly literary, or nostalgic tone in modern English. Disposable tissues have largely replaced cloth handkerchiefs in everyday use, while the informal forms “hankie” and “hanky” remain common.