handbag

noun

hand·​bag ˈhan(d)-ˌbag How to pronounce handbag (audio)
Synonyms of handbagnext
1
: suitcase
2
: a bag held in the hand or hung from a shoulder strap and used for carrying small personal articles and money

Synonyms of handbag

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Examples of handbag in a Sentence

flies only with a handbag so he doesn't have to check his luggage her handbag is just big enough to hold her favorite photos and wallet
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The look was finished with a favourite pair of pumps and a handbag by Anya Hindmarch. — Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 2 Aug. 2026 Coach opened four locations of The Coach Coffee Shop in 2025, pairing pastries and espresso drinks with the brand’s handbags and accessories. — Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Aug. 2026 If your handbag collection already has multiple black and brown neutrals, consider this your cue to embrace the elegance of burgundy. — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 31 July 2026 But its owner, Hiro Yonekawa, packs way more into its two rooms, which are full of mostly vintage clothes like mint Burberry trenches (for around $300), graphic tees, men’s dress shirts and women’s tops, hats and handbags. — New York Times, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for handbag

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of handbag was in 1859

Rhymes for handbag

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Browse Nearby Words

hand back
handbag
hand baggage
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Cite this Entry

“Handbag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handbag. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

handbag

noun
hand·​bag ˈhan(d)-ˌbag How to pronounce handbag (audio)
1
: suitcase
2
: a woman's bag for carrying small personal articles and money

More from Merriam-Webster on handbag

Nglish: Translation of handbag for Spanish Speakers

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