wallet

/ˈwɒlɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈwɑːlɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈwä-lət/ (ame, mw)

wallet — noun

  • walletsingular
  • walletsplural

1. a small flat pocket accessory, usually made from leather or similar material, th

1.名詞A2
釋義

a small flat pocket accessory, usually made from leather or similar material, that a person keeps in a trouser or jacket pocket to hold cash, payment cards, identification, and other thin belongings. It is most common among men.

例句

Theo always keeps his wallet in his back pocket when he goes out.

typical position: back pocket

Rafael took out his worn leather wallet and paid for the meal in cash.

同義詞
  • billfold

    North American term for a wallet that primarily holds paper money; slightly less common in everyday speech.

  • pocketbook

    Used in some US regions (especially the South) to mean a wallet, though in other dialects it refers to a handbag.

用法筆記

Frequently used with possessive pronouns (my wallet, his wallet) and location phrases (in your wallet, out of your wallet). The size and shape are designed to fit comfortably into a trouser, shirt, or jacket pocket without creating a visible bulge.

常見錯誤

❌I left my purse at home' (when you mean a men's billfold).
✅I left my wallet at home.
💡In American English, 'purse' means a woman's handbag, not a wallet. In British English, 'purse' is a small coin pouch.

2. a small bag or pouch that a woman stores inside her handbag and that holds coins

2.名詞B1
釋義

a small bag or pouch that a woman stores inside her handbag and that holds coins, paper money, credit cards, and small personal items such as lipstick.

例句

Dewi keeps her coins in a separate wallet inside her handbag so they do not fall out.

location: inside handbag

Saira bought a small red wallet with a zip around the top to hold her bills safely.

feature: zip-around closure

同義詞
  • coin purse

    Smaller and focused on coins; often has a clasp or zip closure.

  • clutch wallet

    A larger style of women's wallet that can be carried on its own, without a handbag.

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 by context: sense 2 wallets are carried inside a handbag, not in a pocket, and are typically owned by women. This sense overlaps with 'purse' in British English (a small container for coins) but 'purse' in American English means handbag. Taiwan learners often use 'purse' incorrectly for this sense.

常見錯誤

❌She put her wallet in her pocket' (a woman's full-size wallet usually does not fit in a pocket).
✅She put her wallet in her handbag.
💡Sense 2 items are designed for handbag storage, not pocket carry.

3. a flat folding pouch designed for carrying and protecting important documents su

3.名詞B1
釋義

a flat folding pouch designed for carrying and protecting important documents such as passports, identity cards, or travel papers. It is typically constructed from materials like leather, plastic, or sturdy card.

例句

Rin placed her passport and boarding pass into a blue document wallet before heading to the airport.

purpose: travel document organization

Élise bought a clear plastic wallet to keep her medical forms dry in case of rain.

同義詞

用法筆記

This sense overlaps semantically with 'folder' but typically implies a slim, portable item for travel or daily carrying. In British English, 'wallet' is the preferred term; in American English, 'travel document holder' or 'passport holder' is more common to avoid confusion with sense 1.

常見錯誤

❌I put my document wallet in my back pocket' (document wallets are usually too large for pocket carry).
✅I put my document wallet in my carry-on bag.
💡Unlike senses 1 and 2, this sense refers to a larger flat case not designed for pocket storage.