French word

pochette

Pronunciation

IPA/poʃɛt/

Meaning

  • feminine nounpurse

Example

J'ai oublié ma pochette dans le café.

I forgot my purse in the cafe.

Illustration for pochette (purse)

More examples

Elle a accroché sa pochette bandoulière avant de sortir.

She put on her shoulder bag before going out.

Core concept

A compact pocket-like bag kept close at hand, carried on the shoulder or held in the hand.

Common phrases

  • ma pochette

    my pouch

  • une pochette bandoulière

    a shoulder bag

  • une pochette de voyage

    a travel pouch

Similar words

sac: A general-purpose bag used to carry personal belongings.
sac à main: A small handbag carried by hand or over the arm.
trousse: A small zippered case for cosmetics, pens, or other small items.
porte-monnaie: A small wallet for carrying coins and cards.

Definition in French

Petit sac porté en bandoulière ou tenu à la main, destiné à contenir quelques effets personnels essentiels.

Word origin

Pochette is formed from French poche, meaning pocket, with the diminutive suffix -ette, so it originally referred to a small pocket-like container.

Usage tips

  • Pochette is feminine, so standard forms are une pochette and ma pochette.

Other meanings

  • pouchnoun
  • clutchnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word