Meaning & use
purse
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Meanings
nouncountable
A small bag used for carrying money and personal items, typically carried by women.
Grammar: Countable: one purse, two purses. In American English, it often means a handbag; in British English, it is a small pouch for coins.
Patterns
- carry a purse
- in one's purse
- a purse with a strap
She reached into her purse to find her keys.
He bought a leather purse for his wife's birthday.
The thief snatched her purse on the crowded street.
nouncountable
The total amount of money that is available to be won in a competition or as a prize.
Grammar: Countable: often used in sports and gambling contexts.
Patterns
- a purse of $100,000
- win the purse
- the prize purse
The winner took home a purse of one million dollars.
The boxing match had a record purse.
The tournament offers a large purse to the champion.
verbtransitive or intransitive
To draw one's lips tightly together, often to show disapproval, concentration, or displeasure.
Grammar: Can be used with or without an object: She pursed her lips. / Her lips pursed in annoyance.
Patterns
- purse one's lips
- purse one's mouth
He pursed his lips in thought before answering.
She pursed her lips disapprovingly at the mess.
The teacher pursed her lips and shook her head.
Word forms
| plural | purses |
|---|---|
| third person singular | purses |
| past tense | pursed |
| past participle | pursed |
| -ing form | pursing |
Common combinations
- purse strings
- The government controls the purse strings, so they decide how much money is spent.
- coin purse
- She keeps her change in a small coin purse.
- handbag
- In British English, a handbag is often called a purse in American English.
- purse one's lips
- He pursed his lips when he heard the bad news.
Synonyms and how they differ
- handbag
- In American English, 'handbag' is a more formal word for a woman's bag, while 'purse' is the everyday term.
- bag
- A general word for any container; 'purse' is specifically for money and personal items.
- pouch
- A small soft bag, often for coins or tobacco; 'purse' is more common for a woman's accessory.
Word family
- purser noun
- An officer on a ship who handles money and accounts.
Commonly confused: purse or purse?
purse vs purse
In British English, 'purse' is a small coin holder, while in American English it is a handbag. Be aware of the difference.
Practice
In American English, which sentence uses 'purse' correctly?
Choose one answer.
In American English, a purse is a handbag, so putting a wallet in it is natural. Option 1 is wrong because 'purse' as a verb means to draw lips together, not to open a door. Option 2 is wrong because a purse is not that heavy. Option 3 is wrong because a purse is not typically worn as a necklace.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “purse”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.