pocket

The word “pocket” means a small fabric pouch sewn into clothing for carrying small items. In plain terms, a small pouch in clothing for carrying things, or, more broadly, someone's money or a small isolated area/amount.

“Pocket” is pronounced POK-iht (/ˈpɑ.kɪt/ in IPA).

Here is “pocket” used in a sentence: “He fished his keys out of his jacket pocket.”

Words with a similar meaning to “pocket” include backfield, passing pocket and tackle box.

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

The word “pocket” comes from Anglo-Norman. From Anglo-Norman poket, a diminutive of poke/poque ("bag, sack"), from Frankish *pokō ("pouch").

“Pocket” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“Pocket” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small fabric pouch sewn into clothing for carrying small items.

A pocket is sewn into a garment or bag as a built-in compartment, so it stays attached to the item. A pouch is a separate, self-contained little bag you carry on its own or clip on. In short, a pocket is part of something larger, while a pouch stands alone.

Clothing uses several designs. A patch pocket is stitched onto the outside; a welt or slit pocket sits flush with an opening; an inset or side-seam pocket hides in a seam; and a cargo pocket is a large, often flapped pouch on trousers or jackets. Each balances storage against style.

The small openings on the front of a pair of jeans are classic pockets, holding keys, coins, or a phone. Shirts often have a single chest pocket, while coats add inner pockets for wallets. Anywhere a garment carries a stitched pouch for small items, that is a pocket.

Manufacturers sometimes sew a pocket shut or merely print its shape to preserve a garment's slim, tailored line, since a real, bulky pocket can spoil how the fabric hangs. This is especially common on women's clothing and formal wear. The seam looks like a pocket but offers no actual storage.