wallet

noun

wal·​let ˈwä-lət 

1

: a bag for carrying miscellaneous articles while traveling

2

a

: a folding pocketbook with compartments for personal papers and usually unfolded paper money

also : billfold

b

: a container that resembles a money wallet: such as

(1)

: a usually flexible folding case fitted for carrying specific items (such as tools or fishing flies)

(2)

: folder sense 3a

3

: resources, funds

a shopping mall that seems to swallow your wallet

—Karen Wright

Synonyms

• carry-on
• carryall
• grip
• handbag
• holdall [chiefly British]
• portmanteau
• suitcase
• traveling bag

Examples of wallet in a Sentence

She paid the bill and tucked her wallet back into her pocket.

He pulled a few bills out of his wallet.

Recent Examples on the Web

All Day Essentials Belt Bag 2.5L $48 $29 at Lululemon Another popular Lululemon belt bag is this version that’s extra spacious, with three pockets to organize your wallet, phone, sunglasses, and other small essentials. —Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025

The plane tickets were found in their wallets, family members added. —Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025

However, the age of cryptocurrency and digital wallets allows the debuting Corrigan to flip these expectations on their head, via a tale of four lonely teenagers with something to prove. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025

Yet the 25% tariffs rolled out on Wednesday could still manage to dent consumers’ wallets. —Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English walet

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wallet

• vote with your wallet

Rhymes for wallet

• collet
• gallate
• hippolyte

Kids Definition

wallet

noun

wal·​let ˈwäl-ət 

1

: a bag or sack for carrying things on a journey

2

: a small flat folding pocketbook with compartments (as for coins, paper money, and cards)

also : billfold