purse
Americannoun
-
Also called change purse. a small bag, pouch, or case for carrying money.
-
anything resembling a purse in appearance, use, etc.
-
a sum of money offered as a prize or reward.
-
a sum of money collected as a present or the like.
-
money, resources, or wealth.
verb (used with object)
-
to contract into folds or wrinkles; pucker.
to purse one's lips.
-
to put into a purse.
noun
-
a small bag or pouch, often made of soft leather, for carrying money, esp coins
-
a woman's handbag
-
anything resembling a small bag or pouch in form or function
-
wealth; funds
-
a sum of money that is offered, esp as a prize
verb
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In its most recent earnings report, Brown-Forman said sales in markets like the U.S. and Europe are hurting as affordability issues have plagued consumers, who are tightening their purse strings.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026
I saw a lot of allusions and references in your lyrics and videos to “trashy icons,” like Lindsay Lohan with the Chanel purse ankle monitor.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026
That’s a precarious model if middle-class Americans have to tighten their purse strings.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026
But perhaps the most powerful tool that Congress has is its power of the purse, outlined in Article 1 of the Constitution.
From Salon • Mar. 13, 2026
She sets down her coal and starts searching through her purse.
From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
