purse

noun \ ˈpərs \

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

Definition of purse

1 a (1) : a small bag for money

(2) : a receptacle (such as a pocketbook) for carrying money and often other small objects

b : a receptacle (such as a pouch) shaped like a purse

2 a : resources, funds

b : a sum of money offered as a prize or present; also : the total amount of money offered in prizes for a given event

—

purselike

play \ˈpərs-ˌlīk\ adjective

See purse defined for English-language learners

See purse defined for kids

Examples of purse in a Sentence

a golf tournament with a million dollar purse
I left my purse at home, so I can't buy anything after all.

Recent Examples of purse from the Web

The fund pays for 90 percent of the lucrative purses, the cash prizes awarded to race winners.

— sam wood, Philly.com, "Pa.'s horse-racing industry gets more state money than Health or Agriculture Departments," 6 Apr. 2018
Don’t put wallets in back pockets or allow purses to dangle from the backs of chairs.

— Fox News, "5 common scams, rip-offs and robbery tactics targeted at travelers," 5 Apr. 2018
Scattered belongings, including a purse, were found nearby.

— darran simon, CNN, "What we know about the mysterious California crash that killed five family members," 2 Apr. 2018
The risen Christ, on the left with a pilgrim’s purse, a walking staff and a bottle, approaches two fellow wayfarers.

— e.a. carmean jr., WSJ, "Witnesses of the Risen Christ," 30 Mar. 2018
This year's purse at the Masters is $11 million with the winner collecting $1.98 million.

— scooby axson, SI.com, "How Much Does the Winner of The Masters Make?," 29 Mar. 2018
Inside were her purse, wallet, passport, and cell phone.

— naomi fry, The New Yorker, "How a Young Woman Lost Her Identity," 26 Mar. 2018
The Cinderella Project of Charleston collects new and gently-used formal dresses, gowns, purses, jewelry, shawls, shoes, and accessories and provides them to financially challenged high school students at the annual Cinderella Project Boutique.

— meghan overdeep, Southern Living, "Donate Your Old Prom Dresses to The Cinderella Project of Charleston," 9 Mar. 2018
Terry initially told deputies that his wife left their Summerfield home around 9:30 p.m. Dec. 21 without taking her cellphone, purse, medications or any other personal belongings, according to an arrest report obtained by the station.

— crimesider staff, CBS News, "Man accused of killing pregnant wife, taking pictures of body," 6 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'purse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of purse

Middle English purs, from Old English, modification of Medieval Latin bursa, from Late Latin, ox hide, from Greek byrsa

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

purse Synonyms

Synonyms

bag, handbag, pocketbook;

Related Words

clutch, clutch bag;

billfold, wallet;

poke, pouch, sack;

shoulder bag;

purse

verb

Definition of purse

pursed; pursing

transitive verb

1 : to put into a purse

2 : pucker, knit

pursed his brow

See purse defined for English-language learners

Examples of purse in a Sentence

She pursed her lips in concentration.
His lips were tightly pursed.

Recent Examples of purse from the Web

The lawyers are now working toward a settlement but also pursing the possibility of litigation on another track.

— katie zezima, chicagotribune.com, "Epic opioid battle heads to Ohio courtroom," 7 Apr. 2018
In one especially striking moment, ensemble member María Ascensión Leigh instantly transforms from earnest servant to hair-twirling, lips-pursing maiden, just by donning a magenta pleather jacket.

— lily janiak, San Francisco Chronicle, "Cutting Ball’s ‘Timon’ makes Shakespeare feel suspenseful," 6 Apr. 2018
Affiliation smiles feature pursed lips, the whites of the eyes and raised eyebrows.

— susan pinker, WSJ, "Smiles Hide Many Messages—Some Unfriendly," 5 Apr. 2018
Terrazas, the third member of the trio, examined his flute and pursed his lips.

— jeffrey fleishman, latimes.com, "Voices of the City: Experimental vocalist Carmina Escobar uses her voice to explore herself and others," 29 Mar. 2018
The state Office of Disciplinary Counsel is pursing petitions for discipline against the two.

— mark scolforo, Fox News, "Lawyers accused of ethical lapses in Sandusky investigation," 25 Mar. 2018
Positive stories seem like an easy win for a royal correspondent—something the Queen isn't likely to purse her lips over.

— mehera bonner, Marie Claire, "Inside the Wild Life of a Royal Correspondent," 14 Mar. 2018
More than 300 cities and counties across the country are pursing litigation, including Broward County, Fort Lauderdale and Delray Beach.

— skyler swisher, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Palm Beach County picks legal team to pursue opioid litigation," 13 Mar. 2018
When Ramaphosa was declared the winner of the ANC presidency on Dec. 18 with 52 percent of the vote, Zuma sat stony-faced, pursed his lips and didn’t applaud.

— Bloomberg.com, "How Ramaphosa Pulled the Strings and Toppled a President," 15 Feb. 2018

First Known Use of purse

14th century

PURSE Defined for English Language Learners

purse

noun

Definition of purse for English Language Learners

: a usually leather or cloth bag used by women for carrying money and personal things
: an amount of money that a person, organization, or government has available to use
: an amount of money that is offered as a prize in a competition (such as a horse race, a golf tournament, or a boxing match)