wallet

noun

wal·​let ˈwä-lət 

1

: a bag for carrying miscellaneous articles while traveling

2

a

: a folding pocketbook with compartments for personal papers and usually unfolded paper money

also : billfold

b

: a container that resembles a money wallet: such as

(1)

: a usually flexible folding case fitted for carrying specific items (such as tools or fishing flies)

(2)

: folder sense 3a

3

: resources, funds

… a shopping mall that seems to swallow your wallet.

—Karen Wright

4

a

: an app or app feature for a mobile device or web browser that digitally stores a user's important information (such as credit cards, driver's license, or event tickets)

Digital wallets can store multiple payment methods, credit cards, debit cards, loyalty cards, and airline tickets on there.

—Rachel DePompa

b

: an application or device used to store and manage cryptocurrency

… hardware wallets and software wallets, that help to restrict access to your cryptocurrency and can be accessed using a password …

—USA Today

Synonyms of wallet

• suitcase

Examples of wallet in a Sentence

She paid the bill and tucked her wallet back into her pocket.

He pulled a few bills out of his wallet.

Recent Examples on the Web

For fans who do open their wallets, the motivation runs deeper than the game. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 2 July 2026

Pull out your wallet and shop our favorite high-end finds, like a stylish outdoor love seat to relax in the garden as the sun peeks from behind the clouds. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 3 July 2026

Inside, the spacious main compartment easily held a heavy travel wallet, an oversized scarf, a water bottle, and my headphones with plenty of room to spare. — Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 July 2026

Even so, the surprisingly roomy silhouette has six pockets to hold everything from a wallet and external phone charger to a passport and 10-inch tablet. — Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English walet

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wallet

• vote with your wallet

Rhymes for wallet

• collet
• gallate
• hippolyte

Kids Definition

wallet

noun

wal·​let ˈwäl-ət 

1

: a bag or sack for carrying things on a journey

2

: a small flat folding pocketbook with compartments (as for coins, paper money, and cards)

also : billfold