Handbag vs. Purse — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 11, 2024
Handbags are typically larger accessories for carrying personal items, while purses are smaller, often used for money.
Difference Between Handbag and Purse
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A handbag is generally a larger accessory designed for carrying a variety of personal items such as wallets, cosmetics, and electronics. On the other hand, a purse is traditionally smaller and primarily used for holding money, including coins and bills.
Handbags come in a wide range of styles, sizes, and materials, catering to different fashion tastes and functional needs. Purses, while also varied in design, tend to focus more on compactness and convenience for financial transactions.
The term "handbag" is more commonly used in a fashion context to describe a fashionable accessory for women, encompassing a broad range of styles from totes to shoulder bags. Conversely, "purse" often refers to a small bag with a clasp or zip, specifically designed for holding money and sometimes small personal items.
In some regions and dialects, the term "purse" can also be used interchangeably with "handbag," which can cause confusion. However, when distinctions are made, purses are typically much smaller than handbags.
Handbags often feature various compartments and pockets for organization, making them practical for everyday use and travel. Purses, due to their smaller size, usually have limited space and are designed for simplicity and ease of access to cash and cards.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Use
Carrying personal items
Holding money
Size
Larger, various sizes
Smaller, more compact
Material Variety
Wide range, from leather to synthetics
Often leather, cloth, or synthetics
Style Focus
Fashion and functionality
Compactness and convenience
Compartments
Multiple, for organization
Limited, focused on money
Compare with Definitions
Handbag
A larger accessory for carrying everyday items.
She carries her laptop in her handbag.
Purse
A small bag primarily for carrying money.
She pulled coins from her purse for the meter.
Handbag
Comes in various styles, from totes to shoulder bags.
Her designer handbag was the envy of her friends.
Purse
Can have a clasp or zip closure.
Her purse had a secure zip to keep her money safe.
Handbag
Often made from materials like leather or canvas.
Her canvas handbag matched her casual outfit.
Purse
Often compact and easy to carry.
Her small purse fit perfectly into her evening bag.
Handbag
Fashionable and practical for daily use.
Her handbag was both a fashion statement and a practical item.
Purse
Limited space, focusing on simplicity.
The simplicity of her purse made it easy to find her cards.
Handbag
Can have multiple compartments for organization.
The handbag's compartments made it easy to find her keys.
Purse
Sometimes used interchangeably with "handbag" in certain regions.
She referred to her handbag as her purse.
Handbag
A handbag, commonly known as a purse in North American English, is a handled medium-to-large bag used to carry personal items.
Purse
A usually closable bag used for carrying keys, a wallet, and other personal items, especially by women; a handbag.
Handbag
A small bag used by a woman to carry everyday personal items.
Purse
A usually closable small bag or pouch for carrying money.
Handbag
A confrontation that does not lead to serious fighting, especially among soccer players.
Purse
Something that resembles a bag or pouch, such as a purse seine.
Handbag
(of a woman) verbally attack or crush (a person or idea) ruthlessly and forcefully
I saw her last week and got handbagged for 15 minutes
Purse
An available amount of money or resources
A project funded by the public purse.
Handbag
A purse.
Purse
A sum of money collected as a present or offered as a prize.
Handbag
A piece of small hand luggage.
Purse
To gather or contract (the lips or brow) into wrinkles or folds; pucker.
Handbag
(mainly Commonwealth) A small bag used by women (or sometimes by men) for carrying various small personal items.
Purse
A small bag for carrying money.
Handbag
Ellipsis of handbag house
Purse
(US) A handbag (small bag usually used by women for carrying various small personal items)
Handbag
To attack verbally or subject to criticism typically used of a woman.
Purse
A quantity of money given for a particular purpose.
Handbag
A small bag usually made of cloth, leather or a similar imitation material, and often having a strap to permit carrying it by slinging it over a shoulder, used by women to carry money and small personal items or accessories; as, she had to search under the cosmetics, hankies, and medicines in her handbag to find a comb.
Purse
(historical) A specific sum of money in certain countries: formerly 500 piastres in Turkey or 50 tomans in Persia.
Handbag
A bag used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women);
She reached into her bag and found a comb
Purse
(transitive) To press (one's lips) in and together so that they protrude.
Purse
To draw up or contract into folds or wrinkles; to pucker; to knit.
Purse
To put into a purse.
Purse
To steal purses; to rob.
Purse
A small bag or pouch, the opening of which is made to draw together closely, used to carry money in; by extension, any receptacle for money carried on the person; a wallet; a pocketbook; a portemonnaie.
Who steals my purse steals trash.
Purse
Hence, a treasury; finances; as, the public purse.
Purse
A sum of money offered as a prize, or collected as a present; as, to win the purse; to make up a purse.
Purse
A specific sum of money
Purse
To put into a purse.
I will go and purse the ducats straight.
Purse
To draw up or contract into folds or wrinkles, like the mouth of a purse; to pucker; to knit.
Thou . . . didst contract and purse thy brow.
Purse
To steal purses; to rob.
I'll purse: . . . I'll bet at bowling alleys.
Purse
A bag used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women);
She reached into her bag and found a comb
Purse
A sum of money spoken of as the contents of a money purse;
He made the contribution out of his own purse
He and his wife shared a common purse
Purse
A small bag for carrying money
Purse
A sum of money offered as a prize;
The purse barely covered the winner's expenses
Purse
Contract one's lips into a rounded shape
Purse
Gather or contract into wrinkles or folds; pucker;
Purse ones's lips
Common Curiosities
Do handbags come in different styles?
Yes, handbags come in a wide range of styles, from totes and shoulder bags to clutches and satchels.
Are handbags and purses the same in some regions?
Yes, in some regions, the terms handbag and purse can be used interchangeably, though they generally refer to different items.
Can a purse fit inside a handbag?
Yes, due to its smaller size, a purse can usually fit inside a handbag.
Is the term "purse" used differently in the UK and the US?
Yes, in the UK, "purse" more commonly refers to a small money holder, while in the US, "purse" can also mean a handbag.
Do handbags have a standard size?
No, handbags do not have a standard size; they vary greatly in size depending on the style and design.
What is the primary function of a handbag?
A handbag's primary function is to carry personal items like wallets, cosmetics, and electronics.
What materials are handbags made from?
Handbags can be made from a variety of materials, including leather, canvas, synthetic materials, and more.
Is a wallet the same as a purse?
A wallet is similar to a purse in that it holds money and cards, but it is often used within a purse or handbag.
How important are compartments in a handbag?
Compartments are crucial in a handbag for organizing items and making them easily accessible.
What is the main purpose of a purse?
The main purpose of a purse is to hold money, including coins and bills.
Are purses only used for carrying money?
Primarily, yes, but some purses can also hold small personal items like keys or a lipstick.
Do all purses have a clasp or zip?
Most purses have a clasp or zip closure, but designs can vary.
Can a handbag be a fashion statement?
Absolutely, handbags are often used as fashion accessories and can make a significant style statement.
Are purses considered a fashion accessory?
Yes, while they are practical, purses can also be fashionable and complement an outfit.
Can men use purses?
Yes, men can use purses, especially those designed for coins or small items, often referred to as coin purses or men's wallets.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
