Clutch
KLUTCH
/klʌtʃ/
A small, strapless flat evening handbag meant to be carried in the hand.
Specifically denotes compact elegance without shoulder straps, held tightly under the arm or in the palm.
The story behind the word. Derived from Middle English 'clutchen', meaning to hold tightly in the fist or hand. The term was applied to small luxury handbags during the 1920s and 1930s because the user had to hold or 'clutch' the bag directly due to the lack of handles or shoulder straps.
Word relationships
- pouch: A pouch is typically soft and gathered with a drawstring, whereas a clutch is structured or flat.
- tote: A tote is a large bag with prominent shoulder straps, unlike a compact hand-held clutch.
Commonly confused with
- satchel: A satchel features a top handle and shoulder strap for practical carrying, whereas a clutch has no straps.
Word family
- clutched (verb): Grasped firmly.
Collocations
- evening clutch
- satin clutch
- leather clutch
- jeweled clutch
Example sentences
- "She carried a satin clutch studded with subtle crystals that complemented her formal gown." Evening wear fashion
Memory hook
You must CLUTCH a clutch bag because it has no strap to hang on. Hold tight in your hand — no straps allowed.
When not to use
Do not use to describe large everyday utilitarian bags with handles like totes or backpacks.
Fun facts
- In the 1920s, movie stars popularized clutches so their shoulder straps wouldn't wrinkle elaborate silk ballgowns.
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.