handbag

noun

hand·​bag ˈhan(d)-ˌbag 

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

• suitcase
• wallet

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

And of course, what better time to hand Beyoncé a handbag straight off the runway than during the final bow? —Julian Randall, Essence, 25 June 2025

This breezy linen dress is a no-brainer look that can be styled with my favorite sandals and woven handbags. —Ali Faccenda, People.com, 23 June 2025

With her chubby cheeks and gummy smile, the stylish infant even clutched a mini LV handbag in her tiny hand. —Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 17 June 2025

The fluffy little figurines, featuring cartoonish grins and spiky teeth, appeared all over social media, with influencers and even royalty adding these cuddly creatures to their handbags and purses. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 16 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for handbag

• airbag
• ragtag
• sandbag
• ag
• bag
• brag
• dag
• drag
• flag
• gag
• hag
• hagg

Kids Definition

handbag

noun

hand·​bag ˈhan(d)-ˌbag 

1

: suitcase

2

: a woman's bag for carrying small personal articles and money