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 of purse

Noun

• bag
• wallet

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

Invest in the trend with one of these early Prime Day purse deals that feel both classic and trend-forward. — Malia Griggs, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2026

Not everyone has a $110,000 custom closet where every pair of designer shoes, every luxury purse, every piece of Chanel has a home behind glass on floor-to-ceiling shelves. — Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

At the time, Hilton finished off her look with a pair of strappy baby pink stiletto sandals, a pink boxy purse, and a sparkling crown atop her icy blonde bob. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 28 Sep. 2026

Article 1 of the Constitution gives Congress the power to levy taxes and decide how federal funds are spent — known as power of the purse. — Eric McDaniel, NPR, 28 Sep. 2026

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