handbag

noun

hand·​bag ˈhan(d)-ˌbag 

1

: suitcase

2

: a bag held in the hand or hung from a shoulder strap and used for carrying small personal articles and money

Synonyms of handbag

• suitcase
• wallet

Examples of handbag in a Sentence

flies only with a handbag so he doesn't have to check his luggage

her handbag is just big enough to hold her favorite photos and wallet

Recent Examples on the Web

Nervous hands rummaging for tissues in handbags, sweaty embraces, last words of advice—and then, we were gone. —Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026

Clearly, the brand has perfected the formula for creating handbags that marry style and function at a reasonable price. —Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2026

Heading to the premiere of her film The Gallerist, which co-stars fellow petite queen Natalie Portman, Ortega accessorized with a compact handbag from a trendy brand, JW PEI. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 31 Jan. 2026

With the Michael Kors Outlet recently slashing prices on dozens of handbags, there are almost too many to sort through. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for handbag

• airbag
• ragtag
• sandbag
• ag
• bag
• brag
• dag
• drag
• flag
• gag
• hag
• hagg

Kids Definition

handbag

noun

hand·​bag ˈhan(d)-ˌbag 

1

: suitcase

2

: a woman's bag for carrying small personal articles and money