purse
Americannoun
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Also called change purse. a small bag, pouch, or case for carrying money.
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anything resembling a purse in appearance, use, etc.
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a sum of money offered as a prize or reward.
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a sum of money collected as a present or the like.
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money, resources, or wealth.
verb (used with object)
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to contract into folds or wrinkles; pucker.
to purse one's lips.
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to put into a purse.
noun
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a small bag or pouch, often made of soft leather, for carrying money, esp coins
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a woman's handbag
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anything resembling a small bag or pouch in form or function
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wealth; funds
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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.
Basic economy passengers can upgrade when spending is strong, while business-class travelers can trade down to premium economy when purse strings tighten.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026
That’s a precarious model if middle-class Americans have to tighten their purse strings.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026
Lilly, who was handcuffed and taken into custody, requested that her purse be brought with her to the detention facility in North Charleston.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 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
Grandma shoved the spray bottle back into her purse and looked at her watch.
From "Lawn Boy Returns" by Gary Paulsen
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.
