clutch bag

noun

Synonyms of clutch bagnext
: a woman's small usually strapless handbag

Examples of clutch bag in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fans can also carry a 1-gallon clear plastic freezer bag — a Ziploc bag or something similar — and a small clutch bag no larger than 9 inches by 5 inches, which is subject to search. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026 That’s why her favorite clutch bag has been on repeat for half a decade and shows no sign of gathering dust any time soon. — Monique Jessen, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026 Wear it with a clutch bag and a choker for the perfect MOG or MOB look. — Alexandra Malmed, InStyle, 9 June 2026 Dua and Callum did not disappoint, emerging on Sunday afternoon for the shindig, with Dua wearing a sheer white Chloé dress and carrying a swan clutch bag. — Rebecca Cope, Vogue, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for clutch bag

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clutch bag was in 1947

Rhymes for clutch bag

See All Rhymes for clutch bag

Browse Nearby Words

clutch
clutch bag
clutchman
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clutch bag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clutch%20bag. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on clutch bag

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for clutch bag

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of bibelot

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All