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
pursed; pursing
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
Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
Jw Pei Hana Tote Bag Made from a luxe-looking faux suede fabric, this medium-sized purse can be worn as a shoulder bag or draped over your wrist as a small tote bag.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
The non-mandatory tournament will be a 56-player draw over one week, with prize money in line with other Masters 1000 events, which each had purses of roughly $10 million in 2025.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Hire an assistant to follow me around with a purse full of money and a suitcase full of dark chocolate bars, to be handed over as needed.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purse
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Noun
Parisians don’t believe your purse and shoes need to match—très passé!
—Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
Jw Pei Hana Tote Bag Made from a luxe-looking faux suede fabric, this medium-sized purse can be worn as a shoulder bag or draped over your wrist as a small tote bag.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
The non-mandatory tournament will be a 56-player draw over one week, with prize money in line with other Masters 1000 events, which each had purses of roughly $10 million in 2025.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Hire an assistant to follow me around with a purse full of money and a suitcase full of dark chocolate bars, to be handed over as needed.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purse
Cite this Entry
“Purse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purse. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
purse
1 of 2 noun1
: 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
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