# purse

/ˈpɝs/ (US) · /pˈɜːs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/purse
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. small money bag

noun · CEFR A2

a small container, often made of leather or plastic, used for carrying coins and paper money.

For teachers: a small pouch or case for carrying money, particularly coins. In British English, this specifically refers to a small item kept inside a larger bag.

- She reached into her bag to find her purse so she could pay for the coffee.
- The elderly woman kept her loose change in a small leather purse, which she carefully tucked into a zipped compartment of her coat.

### 2. handbag

noun · CEFR A2 · American English

a bag used for carrying personal items like keys, a phone, and money.

For teachers: a medium-sized bag used for carrying personal belongings. This usage is the standard term for a handbag in American English.

- He helped her find her purse after she left it under the table at the restaurant.
- She carried a stylish black purse that was large enough to hold her tablet and several notebooks for the meeting.

### 3. prize money

noun · CEFR B2

an amount of money offered as a prize in a competition or for a specific task.

For teachers: a sum of money collected or offered as a prize or for a particular purpose, often in the context of sporting events.

- The winner of the golf tournament took home a large cash purse.
- The total purse for the championship was increased this year to attract more high-ranking international players.

## Examples

- She took some coins out of her purse to pay for the bus.
- After finishing her meal, she realized she had left her purse on the kitchen counter at home.
- The thief snatched the leather purse from the table and disappeared into the crowded market before anyone could react.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.