purse

American  

[purs] / pɜrs /

noun

1. handbag.

2. Also called change purse.  a small bag, pouch, or case for carrying money.

3. anything resembling a purse in appearance, use, etc.

4. a sum of money offered as a prize or reward.

5. a sum of money collected as a present or the like.

6. money, resources, or wealth.

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verb (used with object)

pursed, pursing

1. to contract into folds or wrinkles; pucker.

   to purse one's lips.

2. to put into a purse.

purse British  

/ pɜːs /

noun

1. a small bag or pouch, often made of soft leather, for carrying money, esp coins

2. a woman's handbag

3. anything resembling a small bag or pouch in form or function

4. wealth; funds

5. a sum of money that is offered, esp as a prize

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verb

1. (tr) to contract (the mouth, lips, etc) into a small rounded shape

purse Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing purse

• can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear

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Other Word Forms

• purseless
  adjective
• purselike
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of purse

First recorded before 1100; (noun) Middle English, Old English purs, blend of pusa “bag” (cognate with Old Norse posi ) and Medieval Latin bursa “bag” (ultimately from Greek býrsa “hide, leather”); (verb) Middle English pursen “to put in a purse,” derivative of the noun

Explanation

Though purses are mostly carried by women, this is the kind of purse anyone would love to bring home: it's a prize, usually consisting of money. The most common meaning of purse, as a woman's bag, can definitely help you remember the "prize" meaning of purse, because a woman who won a purse could carry her winnings in a purse. The non-bag type of purse is usually associated with sporting events: boxers and jockeys win purses. Other times, purse is used to describe money won in another context, like a photography contest. Another meaning is totally different: if you pucker or contract your lips, you're pursing them.

Example Sentences

Some are missionary groups such as United Bible Societies, whose primary activity globally is translating and distributing bibles, and Samaritan’s Purse, a U.S.-based evangelical group that provides medical care and other emergency services.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

He was succeeded by Pastor David Purse, although the church employs a number of pastors and staff.

From BBC • Dec. 2, 2025

“Knowledge is power, and understanding where you stand compared to your peers can be enlightening,” said Stanberry, who now runs The Purse, a newsletter that includes contributor confessionals about finances and household labor.

From Salon • Jan. 3, 2025

But they had owned their destroyed mobile home, making them eligible for a new one through a nonprofit called Samaritan’s Purse.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 8, 2024

Now after the Office and the Purse have taken their votaries from the educated class, the ablest men are certainly not left behind.

From Speeches, Addresses, and Occasional Sermons, Volume 3 (of 3) by Parker, Theodore

Related Words

• bag
• handbag
• pocket
• pocketbook
• pouch
• wallet