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

Synonyms

• 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

May your pillow always be cool, your wallet full, your life abundant. —Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025

Both mortgage and auto loan balances also rose, indicating that consumers may be strapped for cash as inflation continues to take hold of their wallets and the shadow cast by tariffs starts to influence consumers’ behavior. —Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 12 Sep. 2025

The brand, which launched in 2020, is known for its wallet-friendly price tags, inclusive size range, and use of environmentally conscious materials and production practices. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2025

Since then, Klarna has expanded to hundreds of thousands of merchants and embedded itself in internet browsers and digital wallets as an alternative to credit cards. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 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