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

One of the most expensive purses ever sold was $3.6 million dollars. —Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024

Once The Row’s Margaux bag was declared a modern Birkin, the purse went from cult favorite to hot-ticket item. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024

This brush-on formula is similar to those of more luxe brands—the powder is housed in a pint-sized (perfect for your purse) brush that twists up for easy application. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 4 Apr. 2024

Avery sent a purse stuffed with pieces of eight to make sure the governor got the point. —Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024

Queen Camilla will distribute the Maundy money in two purses — one red and one white — at Worcester Cathedral to 75 men and 75 women, in a nod to the King’s age. —Caitlin Danaher, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024

The white purse featured custom silver Maundy coins while the red purse contained a £5 coin emblazoned with a Tudor Dragon and a 50 pence coin commemorating the Royal National Lifeboat Institution during its 200th anniversary this year. —Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024

The Texas Children’s Houston Open offers a purse of $9.1 million and the event drew 10 of the top 50 and 40 of the top 100 players in the world rankings. —Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

The Hoover Police Department arrived on the scene roughly five minutes later to find Russell's wig, cell phone and purse with an Apple Watch inside on the roadway near her empty vehicle. —Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024

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

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