wallet

[wol-it, waw-lit]

noun

1. a flat, folding pocketbook, especially one large enough to hold paper money, credit cards, driver's license, etc., and sometimes having a compartment for coins.

2. Chiefly British.,  a bag for carrying food, clothing, toilet articles, etc., during a journey; knapsack or rucksack.

wallet

/ ˈwɒlɪt /

noun

1. a small folding case, usually of leather, for holding paper money, documents, etc

2. a bag used to carry tools

3. archaic,  a rucksack or knapsack

Word History and Origins

Origin of wallet¹

1350–1400; Middle English walet < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of wallet¹

C14: of Germanic origin; compare Old English weallian, Old High German wallōn to roam, German wallen to go on a pilgrimage

Example Sentences

“That is a concern for consumers across the board, and is one of the reasons they’re tightening their wallets a little bit.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Housing costs, car payments and insurance premiums have been biting deeper into wallets.

Read more on MarketWatch

That has led to a grapple over American wallets with the companies broadening the variety of items available for sale to draw in more shoppers, analysts say.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Here, a possible escalation of the conflict is not the main concern of Venezuelans, who glance at the news while checking their wallets to find enough cash to pay.

Read more on BBC

Family might not stress our wallets, but it can test our patience.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• folder 
• pocketbook 
• purse