hankie

noun

ˈhaŋ-kē How to pronounce hankie (audio)
variants or hanky
Definition of hankienext
as in handkerchief
a small, often square piece of material that is used for personal hygiene purposes held a hankie up to his nose and blew vigorously

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of hankie Meanwhile, McCartney recalls requiring a hankie on first hearing his old partner-in-crime’s singing voice from beyond the grave. — Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 26 Nov. 2025 Never leave the house without a clean hanky. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 12 Oct. 2025 Far from signaling misery, crying can be a source of pleasure, as when people pay good money to read a tearjerker or watch a three-hankie movie. — Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025 If the refs keep their yellow hankies in their pockets, the Bills will secure a last second victory. — Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hankie
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hankie
  1. handkerchief
  2. towel
Noun
  • Other fabric scraps of the original dress were used to create handkerchiefs for Noah, her brothers, and herself to carry on the day.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • People’s handkerchiefs would come away from their foreheads stained with soot.
    — Daliah Singer, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of handkerchief
Noun
  • In the photos, she is seen standing knee-deep in the water before wrapping a towel over her body to dry off.
    — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The generously sized towels (much larger than traditional bath towels) come in beautiful designs that make wrapping up after a bath or shower feel special.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of towel

Browse Nearby Words

hankers (for or after)
hankie
hankies
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hankie.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hankie. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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