Word: Handkerchief

Pronunciation

/ˈhændkərʧɪf/

Definitions

• Noun: A small piece of cloth, usually square or rectangular in shape, used for wiping one’s nose, tears, or sweat, or as a decorative accessory. It can also be used symbolically, such as in signaling or as a token of remembrance.

Example sentences:

• Noun: “She pulled out her embroidered handkerchief to dab away her tears.”
• “He offered his clean handkerchief to the lady when she sneezed.”
• “The old man kept a neatly folded handkerchief in his pocket.”

Phrases:

• “Blew one’s nose on a handkerchief”: to use a handkerchief to clear one’s nose.
• “Wave a handkerchief as a signal”: to use a handkerchief to communicate from a distance, typically in distress or to show recognition.
• “Offer someone a handkerchief”: to give someone your handkerchief as an act of kindness or courtesy.

Synonyms

• Hanky
• Tissue
• Pocket square
• Kleenex (brand name)
• Neckerchief (can also refer to a scarf worn around the neck)
• Sobriquet (archaic or literary term)

Note

Handkerchiefs can also be part of idiomatic expressions:

• “To throw in the towel” - meaning to give up or concede defeat, derived from the gesture of throwing down a handkerchief in surrender during a fight or contest.
• “A red hanky in the left pocket” - in some LGBTQ+ communities, it was a discreet signal indicating that the wearer was interested in same-sex relationships.

However, these idioms don’t directly define the word “handkerchief”; they illustrate its usage in cultural contexts.