handbag

[ hand-bag ]

noun

1. a bag or box of leather, fabric, plastic, or the like, held in the hand or carried by means of a handle or strap, commonly used for holding money, personal grooming items, small purchases, etc.
2. valise.

handbag

/ ˈhændˌbæɡ /

noun

1. Also calledbagUS and Canadianpursechiefly USpocketbook a woman's small bag carried to contain personal articles
2. a small suitcase that can be carried by hand
3. a commercial style of House music

Word History and Origins

Origin of handbag¹

First recorded in 1860–65; hand + bag

Word History and Origins

Origin of handbag¹

(for sense 3) C20: humorous allusion to the trend for groups of women to dance round their handbags in discos, nightclubs, etc

Example Sentences

Now staff remove all the Harris Tweed handbags from the shop windows before closing.

From BBC

He disparaged a colleague’s Black son as a prop carried like a Louis Vuitton handbag, suggested Black people have too much political power and made other demeaning remarks about activists and constituents.

From Los Angeles Times

South Korea’s president has apologised for a string of controversies surrounding his wife that included allegedly accepting a luxury Dior handbag and stock manipulation.

From BBC

He described an occasion in London on a long weekend, when Rigby demanded he buy her a designer handbag.

From BBC

Shatha boarded the bus to depart Gaza carrying only a handbag and Lamis on her back, as they had to leave the girl's wheelchair and bags packed with clothes.

From BBC

Related Words

• backpack
• bag
• evening bag
• leather
• pocketbook
• purse