Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

hanky

/ˈheɪ̯ŋki/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 2.37 in modern English

Syllables: han-ki
IPA: /ˈheɪ̯ŋki/

15

Scrabble Score

5

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Diminutive of handkerchief.

Colloquial

Example Sentences

"I saw the Lone Ranger get shot in the heart and shove a hanky in the hole before stopping a train from falling off a bridge."
"Catrin: / Have you got a tissue or something? Scott: Got a hanky. Under his lab coat, he’s wearing a suit jacket, and in the pocket, a white handkerchief."

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈheɪ̯ŋki/

Usage

Colloquial

Inflected Forms

hankies (plural) hankie (alternative, uncommon)

Phrases

hanky code hanky-twist hanky-panky

Frequently Paired Words

hanky-panky

Synonyms

handkerchief hankie hankey

Rhymes With

frankie yankee cranky lanky sankey hankey francie yankey swanky spanky skanky janky

Questions

How do you pronounce hanky?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈheɪ̯ŋki/.
What does hanky mean?: Diminutive of handkerchief.

How to pronounce hanky

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “hanky”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈheɪ̯ŋki/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “hanky”.
Repeat and practice — Say “hanky” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.