Meaning & use
man purse
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountableinformal
A small bag carried by a man, typically used to hold personal items such as a wallet, phone, and keys.
Grammar: Countable: a man purse, two man purses. Often used with 'carry' or 'wear'.
Patterns
- carry a man purse
- wear a man purse
He always carries a man purse with his phone, wallet, and sunglasses.
Some people think a man purse is practical, while others find it strange.
She bought her husband a stylish man purse for his birthday.
Word forms
| plural | man purses |
|---|
Common combinations
- carry a man purse
- He carries a man purse everywhere he goes.
- a stylish man purse
- He bought a stylish man purse made of leather.
- man purse trend
- The man purse trend has grown in recent years.
Synonyms and how they differ
- murse
- A slang blend of 'man' and 'purse', often used humorously or dismissively.
- satchel
- A more neutral term for a bag with a strap, often used for carrying books or documents.
- messenger bag
- A specific style of bag with a long strap, often worn across the body; not necessarily called a man purse.
Word family
- purse noun
- A small bag, especially one used by women to carry money and personal items.
Commonly confused: man purse or wallet?
man purse vs wallet
A wallet is a small flat case for money and cards that fits in a pocket; a man purse is a larger bag carried separately.
Practice
What is a 'man purse'?
Choose one answer.
A man purse is a small bag carried by a man for personal items like a wallet and phone. A women's purse, a pocket wallet, and a hiking backpack are different items.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “man purse”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.