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Definition of hanky

hanky

/ˈhæŋ.ki/
han · ky
Plural:hankies
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hanky Lexical Profile

hanky Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A handkerchief; a small square of cloth or paper used for wiping the nose or eyes (used informally).

Example

"She reached into her coat pocket for a clean hanky to dab away her tears."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for hanky

• Rhymes for hanky

• Nearby Words

hank
hanker
hankering
hanky
hannover
hanoi
hanover

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 19th century as a colloquial clipping of "handkerchief" combined with the diminutive suffix "-y".

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hanky. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hanky
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