A purse (also known as a handbag) is a small bag used to hold various small items, such as keys, a wallet, tissues, makeup, a hairbrush, pepper spray, and/or a gun (though it is generally recommended the latter two items are not carried in such a manner, due to the long draw time). Purses are usually carried by women, but sometimes men carry similar objects (and may or may not call them purses).

A coin purse is even smaller, just large enough to hold money and cards.

The purse was first invented in France.

In the United Kingdom, a purse is a money container similar to a wallet, but typically used by women and including a compartment for coins.