Wallet vs. Purse: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A wallet is a small, flat case for carrying personal items like cash and cards, while a purse, in American English, is a larger bag used for carrying various personal items, often with a shoulder strap.
Key Differences
A wallet is typically a compact, foldable case used primarily for holding money, credit cards, and identification documents. In contrast, a purse is generally larger, designed to carry a variety of personal items including a wallet, phone, cosmetics, and keys.
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Dec 07, 2023
Wallets are usually carried inside a purse or pocket, making them a more concealed and secure option for essential items. Purses, often worn over the shoulder or carried by hand, are more visible and accessible for storing and retrieving a wider range of items.
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Dec 07, 2023
The design of a wallet is focused on organization and ease of access to cash and cards, often featuring dedicated slots and compartments. Purses vary greatly in design and size, offering more flexibility in terms of the items they can accommodate.
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Dec 07, 2023
Wallets are commonly used by both men and women, whereas purses are traditionally associated with women’s fashion and accessories. However, there are gender-neutral and men’s versions of both items.
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Dec 07, 2023
Material-wise, wallets are often made of leather or synthetic materials for durability and a sleek appearance, while purses come in a wider range of materials, from leather to fabric, and styles to suit various fashion preferences.
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Dec 07, 2023
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Comparison Chart
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Wallet and Purse Definitions
Wallet
A small folding case for holding cash and cards.
He pulled out his wallet to pay the bill.
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Nov 26, 2023
Purse
A bag for carrying various personal items.
She rummaged through her purse for her keys.
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Nov 26, 2023
Wallet
A pocket-sized holder for personal identification.
Her driver's license was in her wallet.
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Nov 26, 2023
Purse
Used to carry essentials including a wallet.
Her purse contained her wallet, phone, and makeup.
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Nov 26, 2023
Wallet
Designed for compactness and security.
The slim wallet fit perfectly in his pocket.
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Nov 26, 2023
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Purse
Varies in size, style, and material.
She preferred a small, fabric purse for daily use.
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Nov 26, 2023
Wallet
Often made of leather or fabric for durability.
He bought a new leather wallet.
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Nov 26, 2023
Purse
Can be a fashion statement or a practical accessory.
Her designer purse matched her outfit perfectly.
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Nov 26, 2023
Wallet
Can include features like coin pockets or RFID protection.
His wallet had a special section for coins.
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Nov 26, 2023
Purse
A usually closable bag used for carrying keys, a wallet, and other personal items, especially by women; a handbag.
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Oct 19, 2023
Wallet
A flat pocket-sized folding case, usually made of leather, for holding paper money, cards, or photographs; a billfold.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Purse
An available amount of money or resources
A project funded by the public purse.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Purse
To gather or contract (the lips or brow) into wrinkles or folds; pucker.
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Oct 19, 2023
Wallet
(archaic) A bag or pouch.
He brought with him a large wallet with some provisions for the road.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Purse
(US) A handbag (small bag usually used by women for carrying various small personal items)
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Purse
(historical) A specific sum of money in certain countries: formerly 500 piastres in Turkey or 50 tomans in Persia.
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Oct 19, 2023
Purse
(transitive) To press (one's lips) in and together so that they protrude.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Purse
A sum of money offered as a prize, or collected as a present; as, to win the purse; to make up a purse.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Purse
To steal purses; to rob.
I'll purse: . . . I'll bet at bowling alleys.
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Oct 19, 2023
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
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Oct 19, 2023
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
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Oct 19, 2023
Purse
A sum of money offered as a prize;
The purse barely covered the winner's expenses
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Oct 19, 2023
Purse
Often comes with handles or a shoulder strap.
Her purse had a long strap for easy carrying.
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Nov 26, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can wallets have technology like RFID blocking?
Yes, many modern wallets do.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 07, 2023
Do wallets come in different sizes?
Yes, from small cardholders to larger bifolds.
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Dec 07, 2023
Do all purses have shoulder straps?
Most do, but some have handles or both.
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Dec 07, 2023
Is a wallet more secure than a purse?
Generally, due to its size and concealability.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 07, 2023
Is a purse considered essential for women?
Often, but it depends on personal choice.
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Dec 07, 2023
Are purses safe for carrying valuable items?
It depends on the design and how it's carried.
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Dec 07, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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