handkerchief

/ˈhæŋkətʃɪf/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhæŋkərtʃɪf/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhaŋ-kər-chəf -(ˌ)chif, -ˌchēf/ (ame, mw)

handkerchief — noun

  • handkerchiefsingular
  • handkerchiefsplural

1. a small square of soft fabric or thin paper that people use to wipe their nose,

1.名詞B1
釋義

a small square of soft fabric or thin paper that people use to wipe their nose, dry their eyes, or wear as a fashion item in a suit pocket

例句

Grandpa Liang always carries a clean handkerchief in his jacket pocket.

collocation: a clean handkerchief

The old woman wiped the tears from her eyes with a lace handkerchief.

同義詞
  • tissue

    a disposable paper version; more common in modern spoken English for nose-blowing

  • hanky

    informal, shortened form of handkerchief

  • napkin

    used for eating (table napkin), not for nose; false friend for some learners

用法筆記

Countable noun; plural is handkerchiefs. In modern everyday speech, the paper version is more commonly called a tissue. The cloth version can also be informally called a hanky.

常見錯誤

❌I need a handkerchief to wrap this gift.
✅I need a tissue to wrap this gift.
💡handkerchief is for nose/eyes, not for gift-wrapping.