Bandana
noun ·3 syllables ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 A large kerchief, usually colourful and used either as headgear or as a handkerchief, neckerchief, bikini, or sweatband.
"Neighbours now came hurrying in, and one after another missed some trifling article of property which the deceased was known to have possessed. There were three thin spoons, real silver, on which she greatly prided herself; they were gone. A large silver watch, together with a red silk shawl and a Bandana handkerchief, very regular parts of her Sunday attire, were also not to be found."
- 2 large and brightly colored handkerchief; often used as a neckerchief wordnet
- 3 A style of calico printing, in which white or bright spots are produced upon cloth previously dyed a uniform red or dark colour, by discharging portions of the color by chemical means, while the rest of the cloth is under pressure.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
More examples"Tom is wearing a blue bandana on his head."
Etymology
Borrowed from Hindi बंधन (bandhan, “the act of binding, a bond”), from Sanskrit बध्नाति (badhnāti, “he binds”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰendʰ- (“to bind, bond”). Related to Hindi बाँधना (bāndhnā, “to tie”). Doublet of bind.
Related phrases
More for "bandana"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.