purse

1 of 2

noun

ˈpərs How to pronounce purse (audio)
Synonyms of pursenext
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 How to pronounce purse (audio)
adjective

purse

2 of 2

verb

pursed; pursing

transitive verb

1
: to put into a purse
2
: pucker, knit
pursed his brow

Synonyms

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
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Noun
Other suggestions include placing purses or bags in the back seat by the child, or even one shoe, so parents are sure to check before leaving the car. — Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025 And all of the cuts have happened without the approval of Congress, which the Constitution entrusts with the power of the purse. — Stephen Neukam, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025 Despite following such a big event, the Valspar Championship has star power looking to win a piece of the $8.7 million purse. — Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025 The fashion house’s founder Guccio Gucci decided to use the lightweight and durable bamboo as an alternative for the purse’s handle, supported by Florentine artisans in developing the design. — Denni Hu, WWD, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for purse

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of purse was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing purse

Rhymes for purse

See All Rhymes for purse

Browse Nearby Words

pur sang
purse
purse bearer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Purse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purse. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

purse

1 of 2 noun
ˈpərs How to pronounce purse (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on purse

Nglish: Translation of purse for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about purse

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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