porte-monnaie

coin purse

noun port-moh-NAY Rare

Usage Note

Porte-monnaie is a small wallet designed specifically for coins, formed from porter (to carry) + monnaie (change). It is invariable in the plural: des porte-monnaie. The broader word for a wallet holding cards and bills is portefeuille.

Examples

"Elle a sorti des pièces de son porte-monnaie."

Natural Translation

She took coins out of her coin purse.

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