pouch /paʊtʃ/

Origin

From Middle English pouche, from Old French poche (bag, pouch), possibly from Proto-Germanic puk- (to swell, contain)

Meanings

1. (n) A small bag or flexible container used to carry items

   • "She kept her coins in a leather pouch."

2. (n) A pocket-like structure in animals used to carry young or food

   • "A kangaroo carries its joey in its pouch."

3. (n) An anatomical sac or cavity

   • "The cheek pouch of a hamster can store food."

Related Words

Forms:

• pouched (adj)
• pouching (v)

Synonyms:

• bag
• sack
• pocket
• purse
• satchel

Collocations:

• tobacco pouch
• money pouch
• marsupial pouch

Memory Tricks

1. Think of a kangaroo's protective ouch (pouch) - where it keeps its baby safe
2. Remember that a pouch is like a "p(ocket) + ouch" - a pocket that might hurt if you stuff too much into it

Notes

• Most commonly associated with marsupials (kangaroos, koalas)
• Often used in historical or fantasy contexts (e.g., medieval money pouches)
• Different from a purse in that it's typically smaller and simpler in design