Pocketbook vs. Purse — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 27, 2023
A "Pocketbook" traditionally refers to a small book meant to be carried in one's pocket, but in American English, it often means a woman's handbag. A "Purse" generally refers to a small bag used for carrying money, especially by women.
Difference Between Pocketbook and Purse
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The terms "Pocketbook" and "Purse" are used interchangeably in American English to refer to a small bag that women use to carry personal items, such as money, cards, and cosmetics. Historically, the term "pocketbook" originated to describe a small book that could be carried in one’s pocket but evolved to refer to women’s handbags. "Purse," on the other hand, has consistently been used to refer to a small bag for holding coins and other valuables.
In some regions, nuances between "pocketbook" and "purse" are evident. A "pocketbook" may imply a larger, more functional bag with compartments for various items, emphasizing utility and organization, whereas a "purse" might be perceived as smaller and more fashion-oriented, primarily for carrying money and small essentials.
The contextual use of "pocketbook" and "purse" can also impact their interpretations. In financial contexts, "pocketbook" may refer to one’s financial resources or budget, symbolizing economic wealth or expenditure, whereas "purse" seldom has this connotation and predominantly represents a physical object for carrying personal items.
In colloquial use, the terms "pocketbook" and "purse" may reflect cultural and regional preferences in language. While "pocketbook" is more commonly used in certain areas of the United States, "purse" is universally recognized and widely used in various English-speaking regions, highlighting regional dialect variations and lexical choices in everyday language.
Comparison Chart
Traditional Meaning
Originally referred to a small book carried in one’s pocket.
Consistently refers to a small bag for carrying money.
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Size and Functionality
May imply a larger, more functional bag with various compartments.
Typically perceived as smaller and primarily for small essentials.
Contextual Interpretation
In financial contexts, can symbolize one’s financial resources.
Predominantly represents a physical object for carrying items.
Cultural Preference
More commonly used in certain areas of the United States.
Universally recognized and widely used in English-speaking regions.
Usage Evolution
Has evolved to often mean a woman’s handbag in American English.
Has retained its meaning over time.
Compare with Definitions
Pocketbook
A Pocketbook is traditionally a small book meant to be carried in one’s pocket.
He pulled out a pocketbook filled with notes from his jacket.
Purse
A Purse usually refers to a small, fashion-oriented bag for women.
Her purse matched her shoes, adding a touch of elegance to her outfit.
Pocketbook
A Pocketbook, in financial contexts, can symbolize one’s financial resources or budget.
Tax reforms are affecting the average citizen’s pocketbook.
Purse
A Purse seldom has financial connotations and predominantly represents a physical object.
The purse she carried was compact but had space for all her essentials.
Pocketbook
A Pocketbook often refers to a woman’s handbag in American English.
She packed her pocketbook with essentials before leaving the house.
Purse
A Purse’s meaning has remained consistent, referring to a small bag for carrying valuables.
She kept her keys, phone, and wallet in her purse.
Pocketbook
A Pocketbook is also a regional term preferred in some areas of the United States.
She called it a pocketbook, a term she picked up from her grandmother in the South.
Purse
A Purse is generally a small bag used primarily for carrying money.
She reached into her purse to pay the bill.
Pocketbook
A purse; a handbag.
Purse
A usually closable bag used for carrying keys, a wallet, and other personal items, especially by women; a handbag.
Pocketbook
A pocket-sized folder or case used to hold money and papers; a billfold.
Purse
A usually closable small bag or pouch for carrying money.
Pocketbook
Financial resources; money supply
Prices to fit your pocketbook.
Purse
Something that resembles a bag or pouch, such as a purse seine.
Pocketbook
Often pocket book A pocket-sized, usually paperbound book. Also called pocket edition.
Purse
An available amount of money or resources
A project funded by the public purse.
Pocketbook
(US) a purse or handbag.
Purse
A sum of money collected as a present or offered as a prize.
Pocketbook
(dated) A wallet for paper money.
Purse
To gather or contract (the lips or brow) into wrinkles or folds; pucker.
Pocketbook
(figuratively) One's personal budget or economic capacity - the amount one can afford.
Purse
A small bag for carrying money.
Pocketbook
(uncommon) A small book, particularly (US) a paperback or (UK) notebook able to fit into a pocket.
The publishers brought out small format pocketbooks of the whole of their nature series.
Purse
(US) A handbag (small bag usually used by women for carrying various small personal items)
Pocketbook
A small book or case for carrying papers, money, etc., in the pocket; also, a notebook for the pocket.
Purse
A quantity of money given for a particular purpose.
Pocketbook
Your personal financial means;
That car is too expensive for my pocketbook
Purse
(historical) A specific sum of money in certain countries: formerly 500 piastres in Turkey or 50 tomans in Persia.
Pocketbook
A pocket-size case for holding papers and paper money
Purse
(transitive) To press (one's lips) in and together so that they protrude.
Pocketbook
Pocket-sized paperback book
Purse
To draw up or contract into folds or wrinkles; to pucker; to knit.
Pocketbook
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
To put into a purse.
Pocketbook
A Pocketbook may imply a larger, more functional bag emphasizing utility.
Her pocketbook had several compartments, each for different items.
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
Purse
A Purse is universally recognized and used in English-speaking regions.
She forgot her purse at home and had to borrow some money.
Common Curiosities
Can the term pocketbook also symbolize one’s financial resources in certain contexts?
Absolutely, in financial contexts, the term pocketbook can symbolize one’s financial resources or economic expenditure.
Is the term purse universally recognized and used across English-speaking regions?
Yes, the term purse is universally recognized and widely used across various English-speaking regions to refer to a small bag for carrying money.
Is the term pocketbook more commonly used in certain areas of the United States?
Yes, the term pocketbook is more commonly used in certain areas of the United States, reflecting regional dialect variations and preferences.
Does the term pocketbook originally refer to a small book that could be carried in one’s pocket?
Yes, traditionally, a pocketbook referred to a small, compact book designed to be carried in one's pocket.
Is a purse generally smaller and more fashion-oriented than a pocketbook?
Typically, yes. A purse is often perceived as smaller and more fashion-oriented, primarily for carrying money and small essentials, compared to a pocketbook.
Is a purse typically used by women to carry small essentials like money and cards?
Yes, a purse is typically used by women to carry small essentials such as money, cards, and sometimes cosmetics.
Has the meaning of the term purse remained consistent over time?
Yes, the term purse has largely retained its meaning over time, consistently referring to a small bag used for carrying money and valuables.
Is the term pocketbook often used interchangeably with purse in American English?
Yes, in American English, pocketbook and purse are often used interchangeably to refer to a woman’s handbag.
Can the term pocketbook imply a larger, more functional bag with various compartments?
Yes, the term pocketbook can imply a larger, more functional bag, often with various compartments, emphasizing utility and organization.
Does the term purse predominantly represent a physical object for carrying personal items?
Yes, the term purse predominantly represents a physical object, typically a small bag, used for carrying personal items like money.
Has the term pocketbook evolved to often mean a woman’s handbag in American English?
Yes, in American English, the term pocketbook has evolved to often refer to a woman’s handbag.
Can a purse be fashion-oriented and sometimes match other accessories like shoes?
Absolutely, a purse can be very fashion-oriented and is often chosen to match other accessories like shoes and belts.
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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.
