Words / A1

HANGK-uh-chif/ˈhæŋkətʃɪf/

A handkerchief is a small square of cloth for your nose or to keep in a pocket — British English. Countable: a handkerchief, handkerchiefs. Informal: a hanky. A tissue is paper and you throw it away; a handkerchief is cloth and you wash it. Not hand + chief as two ideas.

Meaning

A small square of cloth for your nose or to keep in a pocket (British).

Examples

• “He blew his nose on a handkerchief.”
• “I forgot my handkerchief.”
• “She waved a handkerchief at the train.”

Good to know

British cloth: handkerchief / hanky. Contrast: tissue (paper). Wash a handkerchief.

Near in meaning

hanky

New