purse

9 synonyms for purse, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A small bag used for carrying money and personal items, especially by women.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

prize bag

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

handbag clutch wallet

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

pocketbook winnings pucker wrinkle

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A small bag used for carrying money and personal items, especially by women.

“My grandmother always carries a tiny purse with a few coins in it.”

handbag pocketbook clutch wallet winnings prize bag pucker

2. verb

To press one's lips together tightly, often to show disapproval.

“He pursed his lips while he thought about the question.”

wrinkle

How to use purse

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

open one's purse prize purse purse one's lips

Etymology

From Old English purs, itself partly from a word meaning "wallet, bag" and partly from Medieval Latin bursa ("leather bag") — the same root that gives us "bursar."

Full origin of purse →

Frequently asked questions

What does “purse” mean?

The word “purse” means a small bag used for carrying money and personal items, especially by women. In plain terms, a bag for money and belongings, a sum of prize money, or (as a verb) to tighten your lips.

How do you pronounce “purse”?

“Purse” is pronounced purs (/pɜɹs/ in IPA).

How do you use “purse” in a sentence?

Here is “purse” used in a sentence: “She kept her keys and phone in her purse.”

What is another word for “purse”?

Words with a similar meaning to “purse” include pucker.

What part of speech is “purse”?

Depending on how it is used, “purse” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “purse” come from?

The word “purse” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old English purs, itself partly from a word meaning "wallet, bag" and partly from Medieval Latin bursa ("leather bag") — the same root that gives us "bursar.".

Is “purse” a common word?

“Purse” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “purse” have?

“Purse” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small bag used for carrying money and personal items, especially by women.

What is the difference between a purse and a handbag?

The meaning depends on the country: in American English, a purse is the bag carried for money and personal items, much like what British English calls a handbag. In British English, a purse is the small pouch for coins and cards that Americans would call a wallet or coin purse.

People also searched

bag prize wallet clutch handbag winnings wrinkle pocketbook pucker

Nearby words

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