Hankie: meaning, definitions and examples

👃

Add to dictionary

hankie

[ ˈhæŋki ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

handkerchief

A hankie, commonly referred to as a handkerchief, is a piece of cloth or paper that is used for wiping the face, hands, or eyes. Traditionally, it is made of cotton or linen and is often carried in a pocket or purse. It can be used for various personal hygiene purposes, including blowing one's nose, and is sometimes used as a fashion accessory. In some cultures, a decorative hankie may also serve as a symbol of affection or elegance.

Synonyms

handkerchief, kerchief, napkin, tissue.

Examples of usage

He pulled out a hankie to wipe his brow.
She always carries a silk hankie in her purse.
The child blew his nose into a bright-colored hankie.
During the ceremony, guests waved their hankies in celebration.

Translations

Translations of the word "hankie" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lenço

🇮🇳 हैण्डकी

🇩🇪 Taschentuch

🇮🇩 sapu tangan

🇺🇦 хустинка

🇵🇱 chusteczka

🇯🇵 ハンカチ

🇫🇷 mouchoir

🇪🇸 pañuelo

🇹🇷 mendil

🇰🇷 손수건

🇸🇦 منشفة

🇨🇿 kapesník

🇸🇰 vreckovka

🇨🇳 手帕

🇸🇮 rokavica

🇮🇸 vettlingur

🇰🇿 орамал

🇬🇪 ხალათი

🇦🇿 mendil

🇲🇽 pañuelo

Etymology

The word 'hankie' is a diminutive form derived from the term 'handkerchief', which itself traces its origins back to Middle French and Old French. The French term 'couverchief' originally referred to a cloth used to cover the head. As the item evolved, it became associated with personal grooming and sanitation. The transformation of 'couverchief' to 'handkerchief' occurred in Middle English, where the word began to denote a cloth for the hands. The shortening and alteration of 'handkerchief' to 'hankie' likely reflects the informal, everyday use of the item, making it a popular term in modern vernacular.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,440, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

...
38437 clangour
38438 soppy
38439 unarguable
38440 hankie
38441 bunking
38442 hotchpotch
38443 verboten
...