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

Explanation

A kerchief is a small piece of fabric, usually folded into a triangle, that's worn around the neck or tied around the head. Your nephew might insist on wearing his red kerchief and cowboy boots everyday to preschool. Another word for a kerchief is a bandana. While some people wear them as protection from the sun or to cover their hair for religious reasons, many kerchief wearers simply like the style. The word comes from an Old French root, couvrechief, which literally means "cover head," from a combination of couvrir, "cover," and chief, "head." Related words include neckerchief and handkerchief.

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

With his affectation for a kerchief tied around his neck and popped-collar jacket, Bogdanovich cut a singular figure as he often made public appearances to speak about his films or those of his filmmaking heroes.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 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

Anya grabbed her kerchief and pushed his nose away.

From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack