Wallet vs. Purse — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 5, 2023
A wallet is a small flat case for holding personal items like cash and cards, while a purse is often larger, used primarily by women to carry money, personal items, and can be a fashion accessory.
Difference Between Wallet and Purse
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A wallet is a compact, flat case designed to carry personal items such as cash, credit cards, identification documents, and sometimes coins. Traditionally used by both men and women, wallets are sized to fit into a pocket, typically made of leather or a similar material, and are a functional accessory intended to organize and protect personal finances.
Purses, however, serve a broader purpose and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The term is often used interchangeably with 'handbag' in American English and is typically an accessory used by women. Purses not only carry money but also hold everyday personal items such as keys, makeup, phones, and other necessities. They can range from small and simple to large and elaborate, often acting as a statement piece in fashion.
While a wallet is designed to be carried inside a pocket or a purse, a purse is designed to be carried by hand or over the shoulder and is often more visible. Wallets are usually focused on functionality and durability, often adopting a bifold or trifold design with specialized compartments, while purses may prioritize aesthetics, design, and versatility, with various compartments for different uses.
The design of a wallet is often minimalistic and focused on being slim and lightweight. It is an essential accessory for both men and women that reflects personal style while providing utility. A purse, by contrast, can be a reflection of personal fashion and status, coming in various forms like clutches, totes, and crossbody bags, often with decorative elements and designer labels.
In summary, the wallet is a practical accessory intended for carrying essential financial items in a compact space, often within a pocket or a bag. A purse is a more versatile accessory that can carry a wallet among many other items and is often designed to be both functional and fashionable.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Function
Holds money and cards
Holds a variety of personal items
Size
Small and flat
Ranges from small to large
Carrying Method
Fits in a pocket or inside a purse
Carried by hand, on the shoulder, or arm
Material
Often leather or synthetic
Varies widely, including leather and fabric
Cultural Use
Used by all genders
Often associated with women
Compare with Definitions
Wallet
A pocket-sized organizer for important financial items
He checked his wallet for his ID and credit card.
Purse
An accessory that may hold a wallet and additional personal belongings
Her purse was large enough to fit all her shopping.
Wallet
A small, flat case for carrying personal items like cash and cards
He pulled out his wallet to pay for the coffee.
Purse
A fashion item carried by women that comes in many forms such as handbags or clutches
For the gala, she chose an elegant silver purse.
Wallet
A foldable accessory designed to hold paper currency and identification
I need a new wallet; this one is falling apart.
Purse
A small bag used by women to carry everyday personal items
She rummaged through her purse looking for her keys.
Wallet
A compact container for personal financial items that can be easily carried
She gifted him a personalized wallet for his birthday.
Purse
A container varying in size, design, and fashion, often used by women
The designer purse was the centerpiece of her outfit.
Wallet
A wallet is a small, flat case or pouch that can be used to carry such small personal items as paper currency, credit cards, and identification documents (driver's license, identification card, club card, etc.), photographs, transit pass, business cards and other paper or laminated cards. Wallets are generally made of leather or fabrics, and they are usually pocket-sized and foldable.
Purse
A usually closable bag used for carrying keys, a wallet, and other personal items, especially by women; a handbag.
Wallet
A flat pocket-sized folding case, usually made of leather, for holding paper money, cards, or photographs; a billfold.
Purse
A usually closable small bag or pouch for carrying money.
Wallet
A small case, often flat and often made of leather, for keeping money (especially paper money), credit cards, etc.
The thief stole all the money and credit cards out of the old man's wallet.
Purse
Something that resembles a bag or pouch, such as a purse seine.
Wallet
A person's bank account or assets.
It's unknown if the pro running back's recent sex scandal will hit him in the wallet or not.
Purse
An available amount of money or resources
A project funded by the public purse.
Wallet
An e-wallet or digital wallet.
Purse
A sum of money collected as a present or offered as a prize.
Wallet
A thick case or folder with plastic sleeves in which compact discs may be stored.
I won an auction online for a cheap CD wallet.
Purse
To gather or contract (the lips or brow) into wrinkles or folds; pucker.
Wallet
(archaic) A bag or pouch.
He brought with him a large wallet with some provisions for the road.
Purse
A small bag for carrying money.
Wallet
(slang) A person's buttocks (the area of the body nearest where one keeps one's wallet).
He fell down and landed on his wallet.
Purse
(US) A handbag (small bag usually used by women for carrying various small personal items)
Wallet
A bag or sack for carrying about the person, as a bag for carrying the necessaries for a journey; a knapsack; a beggar's receptacle for charity; a peddler's pack.
[His hood] was trussed up in his walet.
Purse
A quantity of money given for a particular purpose.
Wallet
A pocketbook for keeping money about the person.
Purse
(historical) A specific sum of money in certain countries: formerly 500 piastres in Turkey or 50 tomans in Persia.
Wallet
Anything protuberant and swagging.
Purse
(transitive) To press (one's lips) in and together so that they protrude.
Wallet
A pocket-size case for holding papers and paper money
Purse
To draw up or contract into folds or wrinkles; to pucker; to knit.
Wallet
A holder often made of leather or fabric for keeping money and cards secure
Her wallet matched her belt and shoes.
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
Purse
A bag with straps or handles carried for holding personal items
He bought her a leather purse for their anniversary.
Common Curiosities
Do men use purses?
Typically, men use wallets, but bags designed for men are often referred to as messenger bags or satchels, not purses.
Is a clutch a type of purse?
Yes, a clutch is a small, handheld type of purse.
Are wallets only made from leather?
No, wallets can be made from various materials including fabric, synthetic materials, and even metal.
Can purses have compartments for credit cards like wallets?
Yes, many purses have built-in card slots or come with a small matching wallet.
Are all wallets foldable?
Most wallets are foldable, but there are also styles like zip wallets and cardholders.
Can a wallet hold coins?
Yes, some wallets have a coin compartment.
Can a wallet be considered a type of purse?
No, a wallet is a separate accessory designed to fit inside a purse among other places.
Can a wallet be used as a fashion accessory?
Yes, designer wallets can also be fashion statements.
Are purses used for carrying money only?
No, purses are used to carry various personal items, not just money.
Is it common for purses to have a dedicated space for wallets?
Yes, most purses have an area or pocket where a wallet can be securely placed.
Can a wallet be a gift item?
Absolutely, wallets are commonly given as gifts for their practicality and personal touch.
Is a purse always larger than a wallet?
Typically, yes, since a purse is designed to carry a wallet along with other items.
Do wallets come with straps?
Some modern wallets, especially those designed for travel, come with straps.
Are purses considered more secure than wallets?
Purses often have zippers or clasps that can provide additional security compared to some wallets.
Do wallets and purses serve the same purpose?
No, wallets are specifically for carrying financial items, while purses are for carrying a broader range of personal belongings.
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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.
