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
• 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

Or, tie a scarf to your purse for a pop of color to elevate any outfit. —Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025

Shepherd’s purse is commonly found in patchy lawns that are struggling in poor soil. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2025

The Constitution repeatedly affirms that control over government spending — sometimes referred to as the power of the purse — resides with the legislative branch. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025

Strogoff, 39, who stepped out for the Tom Ford Spring/Summer 2026 show, was photographed heading into the fashion show wearing a skin-baring gown that left her clutching her purse to prevent a wardrobe malfunction. —Starr Bowenbank, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 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