Meaning & use
change pocket
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
a small pocket for carrying coins, often inside a larger pocket or on a bag
Grammar: Countable: a change pocket, two change pockets. Often used with 'in': in my change pocket.
Patterns
- a change pocket in something
- put something in a change pocket
- a change pocket on a bag
He reached into his change pocket and pulled out a few coins.
This jacket has a hidden change pocket inside the main one.
The backpack has a small change pocket on the front for bus fare.
nouncountable
a separate small pouch or compartment for coins, especially on a belt or bag
Grammar: Countable: a change pocket, change pockets. Often used for accessories.
Patterns
- wear a change pocket
- a change pocket with a zipper
He wore a leather change pocket on his belt when traveling.
The change pocket has a zipper so coins don't fall out.
Word forms
| plural | change pockets |
|---|
Common combinations
- front change pocket
- The front change pocket is perfect for keys and coins.
- hidden change pocket
- The jacket has a hidden change pocket.
- change pocket with zipper
- She bought a change pocket with a zipper for her travels.
- coin pocket
- In American English, people often say 'coin pocket' instead.
Synonyms and how they differ
- coin pocket
- The more common term in American English for the same small pocket for coins.
- coin purse
- A separate small bag for coins, not a pocket sewn into clothing.
Commonly confused: change pocket or pocket change?
change pocket vs pocket change
Means a small amount of money, not the pocket itself. 'I have some pocket change' = I have some coins.
Practice
He kept his bus fare in the ___ pocket of his jeans.
Choose one answer.
The compound noun is 'change pocket'. 'Changing' would suggest a pocket that changes, and 'changes' is plural, which does not fit before another noun here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “change pocket”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.