handbag

Everyday

A handbag is a small bag, often with handles or a strap, used mostly by women to carry things like a purse, keys, phone and tissues. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life a handbag holds personal things; in the US it is usually called a purse. In safety lessons: keep bags closed and close to you in crowded places, and never take things from someone else's handbag. In stories a grandma's handbag often holds surprising things like sweets and plasters.

Examples

• Mum put her keys in her handbag. tree →
• Grandma always has tissues and mints in her handbag. tree →
• The lady held her handbag tightly on the busy train. tree →
• I found a lost handbag and gave it to the shop manager. tree →
• Her new handbag had a long shoulder strap. tree →
• Never look in someone's handbag without asking. tree →

Note

One word, countable: handbags. In US English «purse» usually means handbag; in UK English «purse» is the small wallet for coins inside the handbag. Do not confuse with «bag of hands».