noun

purse

purs

noun

A small bag used for carrying money and personal items, especially by women.

"She kept her keys and phone in her purse."

A sum of money, especially prize money.

"The winning boxer collected a six-figure purse."

verb

To press one's lips together tightly, often to show disapproval.

"She pursed her lips at the rude comment."

How to Use Purse

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA bag for money and belongings, a sum of prize money, or (as a verb) to tighten your lips.

UK vs US

In British English, "purse" usually means a small wallet-like item for coins/cards, while "handbag" is the larger bag; in American English, "purse" often refers to the whole handbag.

Common pairings

open one's purse prize purse purse one's lips

Word Forms

pursed past tense, purses plural, Purses plural, purses singular

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She kept her keys and phone in her _____.

Etymology

From Old English purs, itself partly from a word meaning "wallet, bag" and partly from Medieval Latin bursa ("leather bag") — the same root that gives us "bursar."

Synonyms

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pucker

Related Words

pucker

Rhymes for purse

nurse curse course recourse reimburse discourse concourse intercourse

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