How to pronounce handkerchief
Say it like HANG-ker-chif. Handkerchief has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HANG).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce handkerchief. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HANG
- ker
- chif
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: The d is silent, so it starts like 'hank': 'HANG-ker-chif'.
Handkerchief pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HANGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- kerKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- chifKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of handkerchief
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: HANG-kuh-chif.
What does handkerchief mean?
- A piece of cloth, usually square and often fine and elegant, carried for wiping the face, eyes, nose or hands.“He sneezed into his handkerchief during the meeting.”
- A piece of cloth shaped like a handkerchief to be worn about the neck; a neckerchief or neckcloth.
Where does handkerchief come from?
From hand + kerchief.
Questions about saying handkerchief
How do you pronounce handkerchief?
Say HANG-ker-chif. The American pronunciation is /ˈhæŋkɚtʃɪf/. In British English it is /ˈhæŋkətʃɪf/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in handkerchief?
Handkerchief has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HANG). Broken into parts: HANG · ker · chif.
Is handkerchief pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈhæŋkətʃɪf/ (HANG-kuh-chif).