kerchief

American  

[kur-chif, -cheef] / ˈkɜr tʃɪf, -tʃif /

noun

1. a woman's square scarf worn as a covering for the head or sometimes the shoulders.

2. a handkerchief.

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kerchief British  

/ ˈkɜːtʃɪf /

noun

1. a piece of cloth worn tied over the head or around the neck

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Other Word Forms

• kerchiefed adjective
• kerchieft adjective

Etymology

Origin of kerchief

1250–1300; Middle English kerchef, syncopated variant of keverchef < Old French cuevrechef literally, (it) covers (the) head. See cover, chief

Example Sentences

One striking look was a metallic tunic that resembled chainmail, paired with elbow-length black gloves and a kerchief in the same material.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 27, 2022

He’s wearing a sequined jacket with sparkly pink flamingos on it, a white cowboy hat and a pink silk kerchief around his neck.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2022

They ranged in age from elderly women to a pre-teen girl, who wore a green kerchief wrapped around her neck.

From Washington Times • Dec. 13, 2019

One of the women stopped in front of me, sniffling into an old cloth kerchief.

From Slate • Aug. 24, 2019

Mr. Pope pulled his kerchief from his sleeve.

From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood