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noun B1 Intermediate Common

purse

purs
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Purse (noun) means a small bag used for carrying money and personal items, especially by women. Example: “My grandmother always carries a tiny purse with a few coins in it.”

noun
1
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."
"Someone left a red leather purse on the bus seat."
"She kept her keys and phone in her purse."
2
A sum of money, especially prize money.
"The tournament has a generous purse, so many top players have entered."
"The winner will share the purse with her coach."
"The winning boxer collected a six-figure purse."
verb
1
To press one's lips together tightly, often to show disapproval.
"He pursed his lips while he thought about the question."
"My teacher always purses her mouth when she sees untidy homework."
"She pursed her lips at the rude comment."

How to use purse

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA bag for money and belongings, a sum of prize money, or (as a verb) to tighten your lips.

UK vs US

In British English, "purse" usually means a small wallet-like item for coins/cards, while "handbag" is the larger bag; in American English, "purse" often refers to the whole handbag.

Common pairings
open one's purse prize purse purse one's lips
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Word forms

Plural
purses
Third person singular
purses
Past tense
pursed
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

My grandmother always carries a tiny _____ with a few coins in it.

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."

Origin: Medieval Latin

Synonyms

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handbag pocketbook clutch wallet winnings prize bag wrinkle pucker

Related words

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Rhymes for purse

nurse curse course recourse reimburse discourse concourse intercourse
See all rhymes for 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.

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