kerchief

noun

ker·​chief ˈkər-chəf How to pronounce kerchief (audio)
-ˌchēf
plural kerchiefs ˈkər-chəfs How to pronounce kerchief (audio)
-ˌchēfs
 also kerchieves ˈkər-ˌchēvz How to pronounce kerchief (audio)
Synonyms of kerchiefnext
1
: a square of cloth used as a head covering or worn as a scarf around the neck
2
: handkerchief sense 1
kerchiefed
ˈkər-chəft How to pronounce kerchief (audio)
-ˌchēft
adjective

Synonyms of kerchief

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Examples of kerchief in a Sentence

tied the kerchief around her head to keep her hair out of her face dabbed the sweat on his brow with a kerchief
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bandanas and kerchiefs worn tightly around the neck emerged as the must-have item. — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 23 June 2025 Bo, complete with a blue kerchief with an image of a Metro Police badge on it. — Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Nov. 2025 Low, square necklines reigned supreme, albeit often worn with a neckerchief or kerchief to maintain modesty. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 14 Feb. 2026 Tie a wet kerchief over your nose and mouth, hurry to finish your transect, and paddle back through the haze as thousands of acres of pine barrens burn upwind. — Amy Davis, AZCentral.com, 13 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for kerchief

Word History

Etymology

Middle English courchef, from Anglo-French coverchef, cuerchief, from coverir to cover + chef head — more at chief

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of kerchief was in the 13th century

Rhymes for kerchief

See All Rhymes for kerchief

Browse Nearby Words

kercher
kerchief
kerchieflike
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Cite this Entry

“Kerchief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kerchief. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

kerchief

noun
ker·​chief ˈkər-chəf How to pronounce kerchief (audio)
-ˌchēf
plural kerchiefs -chəfs How to pronounce kerchief (audio)
-ˌchēfs
 also kerchieves -ˌchēvz How to pronounce kerchief (audio)
1
: a square of cloth worn as a head covering or as a scarf
2
: handkerchief sense 1

More from Merriam-Webster on kerchief

Nglish: Translation of kerchief for Spanish Speakers

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