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

Sir James Cleverly said the practice was "an insult" and that "custodians of the public purse" had "an enhanced duty to make sure they're delivering value for money".

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

With OpenAI’s purse strings tightening ahead of its IPO, company executives began taking a more critical look at Sora—and didn’t like what they saw.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 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

“I come on Tuesdays for the senior discounts,” Lopez said, showing off her new black Dolce & Gabbana purse.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

And she grabbed her purse and her keys, gave me a peck on the forehead, and left me at the table with my social studies homework.

From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

Related Words

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