purse

1 of 2

noun

ˈpərs 

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

ˈpərs-ˌlīk 

adjective

purse

2 of 2

verb

pursed; pursing

transitive verb

1

: to put into a purse

2

: pucker, knit

pursed his brow

Synonyms

Noun

• bag
• handbag
• pocketbook

Examples of purse in a Sentence

Noun

a golf tournament with a million dollar purse

I left my purse at home, so I can't buy anything after all.

Verb

She pursed her lips in concentration.

His lips were tightly pursed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Wear it with your favorite jewelry, a cute purse, and ballet flats, if you’re headed to date night or a birthday party. —Isabel Garcia, People.com, 27 June 2025

Use leather cleaner and conditioner to protect your leather furniture, purses, shoes, and clothing. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 June 2025

Coach also leaned into customization, as shoppers can buy broaches and bag charms for their purses and also create their own. —Natalie Rice, CNBC, 25 June 2025

Congress controls the power of the purse and appropriates funds to ensure states have adequate resources to protect our residents' safety and health while growing our economies. —Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing purse

• change purse
• hold/control the purse strings
• loosen the purse strings
• privy purse
• purse-proud
• purse seine
• purse strings
• shepherd's purse
• the privy purse
• the public purse
• tighten the purse strings

Rhymes for purse

• curse
• hearse
• terse
• vers
• verse
• worse
• adverse
• averse
• coerce
• disburse
• disperse
• diverse

Kids Definition

purse

1 of 2 noun

ˈpərs 

1

: a small container (as a wallet) for money

especially : a woman's pocketbook

2

: a source of supply or support

3

: a sum of money offered as a prize or present

purse

2 of 2 verb

pursed; pursing

1

: to put into a purse

2

: pucker entry 1

pursed lips

Etymology

Noun

Old English purs "a small bag for money, purse," from Latin bursa "purse," from earlier bursa "oxhide," from Greek byrsa (same meaning) — related to disburse, reimburse