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handbag

handbag

89 1.0
A small bag women carry to hold keys, phone, and money
  • noun
  • /ˈhændˌbæɡ/
translation icon : bolso
  • I found my keys at the bottom of my handbag after searching for them all morning.

She's bashing me with her handbag and now she's fighting her.

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Examples

  • Oh my gosh, you guys, how cute is this little handbag by the Cambridge Satchel Company?

  • One woman who knew her said that 'La Nacha' had a big handbag always on her lap.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Oh, yeah, I was just going through my handbag and I pulled these out.

  • That is a fantastic handbag, by the way.

  • And I always carry these in my handbag.

  • All my belongings, including my handbag with everything in it, are on my seat inside the train.

    Academic text (2000)
  • I pulled my checkbook from my handbag and wrote out the check.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Tucking the book in her handbag, she left the library and headed south.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Last year, I made her a beautiful little handbag from the finest rags I could find.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • You guys know how I love my handbags and I love keeping them pristine.

Synonyms

bag
vshandbag
1.0

A flexible container for carrying personal things like books or clothes

is the specific small women's personal container rather than any flexible holder
purse
vshandbag
399 1.0

A small bag for carrying money, cards, and small personal items

is used for a wider range of personal accessories by women
tote
vshandbag
  • US
40 4.1

A large strong bag for carrying things like books or groceries

is the smaller personal accessory used mainly for money and daily items
satchel
vshandbag
28 2.5

A small bag with a strap that you wear over your shoulder to carry books or personal things

is more compact and mainly for personal daily items rather than books
pocketbook
vshandbag
  • US
15 3.1

A small bag used to carry money and small personal items

is broader, carrying various personal items beyond just money
tote bag
vshandbag
12 1.8

A large strong cloth container with two long handles for carrying books or shopping

is smaller and meant for carrying personal small items rather than heavy loads
clutch
vshandbag
11 5.3

A small flat purse without straps that you carry by hand

is the common small women's carry accessory and can include straps
shoulder bag
vshandbag
5 1.3

A bag with a long strap that you wear on one shoulder

is smaller and often held or carried by shorter straps
evening bag
vshandbag
2 4.1

A small elegant bag a woman carries to formal evening events

is the everyday small women's personal container for many situations
clutch bag
vshandbag
1 4.1

A small handbag without straps that you carry in your hand for formal occasions

is the general small women's carry accessory and may have straps

Idioms

To have a strong, unpleasant scent of old heavy perfume and dampness

How Big

duffel
38 4.4
tote
  • US
40 4.1
weekender
1 4.0
handbag
89 1.0
clutch
11 5.3
moneybag
5 3.2

Surface Forms

handbag singular
handbags plural

Morphology

handbag = hand + bag (transparent) = hand + bag

The meaning is a straightforward combination of 'hand' + 'bag' referring to a small bag carried by hand.

Etymology

The word handbag is made of hand and bag, literally 'hand' and 'bag', so it was originally a small bag carried in the hand. That's why handbag means a small bag for money and personal items.