wallet

noun

wal·​let ˈwä-lət 

1

: a bag for carrying miscellaneous articles while traveling

2

a

: a folding pocketbook with compartments for personal papers and usually unfolded paper money

also : billfold

b

: a container that resembles a money wallet: such as

(1)

: a usually flexible folding case fitted for carrying specific items (such as tools or fishing flies)

(2)

: folder sense 3a

3

: resources, funds

… a shopping mall that seems to swallow your wallet.

—Karen Wright

4

a

: an app or app feature for a mobile device or web browser that digitally stores a user's important information (such as credit cards, driver's license, or event tickets)

Digital wallets can store multiple payment methods, credit cards, debit cards, loyalty cards, and airline tickets on there.

—Rachel DePompa

b

: an application or device used to store and manage cryptocurrency

… hardware wallets and software wallets, that help to restrict access to your cryptocurrency and can be accessed using a password …

—USA Today

Synonyms of wallet

• suitcase

Examples of wallet in a Sentence

She paid the bill and tucked her wallet back into her pocket.

He pulled a few bills out of his wallet.

Recent Examples on the Web

While a secure passport holder is still a great travel accessory, this leather organizer with card slots doubles as a slim wallet and will get plenty of use well beyond the airport. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Dec. 2025

If those individuals clicked on the wrong link, the hacker could access their private wallets. —Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2025

Development of new products and services The past five years have seen an explosion in new monetizable products and services that have expanded the youth-sports wallet. —Chris Russo, Sportico.com, 19 Dec. 2025

So the mother withdrew $20 — four $5 bills — and kept them in her wallet to await the day of the party. —Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English walet

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wallet

• vote with your wallet

Rhymes for wallet

• collet
• gallate
• hippolyte

Kids Definition

wallet

noun

wal·​let ˈwäl-ət 

1

: a bag or sack for carrying things on a journey

2

: a small flat folding pocketbook with compartments (as for coins, paper money, and cards)

also : billfold