1. small bags carried by women to hold personal items; purses or handbags
2. small paperback books that can fit in a pocket
3. financial resources or budget
Usage: informal

Examples

• She searched through several pocketbooks looking for her keys.
• The store displayed colorful pocketbooks near the checkout counter.
• He collected vintage pocketbooks from the 1950s.
• The airport bookstore sold pocketbooks for travelers.
• The new tax will hit consumers’ pocketbooks hard.
• Many families are feeling the strain on their pocketbooks.
• Designer pocketbooks can cost hundreds of dollars.