noun
a small bag for carrying personal things, usually in the hand or over the shoulder
She left her phone in her handbag.
Common phrases & grammar
carry a handbag · leather handbag
American English
How to pronounce handbag
nounA2
HAANDbaag
/ˈhænd̚ˌbæɡ̚/
2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
a small bag for carrying personal things, usually in the hand or over the shoulder
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
Related words & forms
In American English, purse is also very common for this meaning.