A particular case is a particular situation or incident, especially one that you are using as an individual example or instance of something.
Surgical training takes at least nine years, or 11 in the case of obstetrics. [+ of]
One of the effects of dyslexia, in my case at least, is that you pay tremendous attentionto detail.
In extreme cases, insurance companies can prosecute for fraud.
The Honduran press published reports of eighteen cases of alleged baby snatching. [+ of]
Synonyms: situation, event, circumstance(s), state More Synonyms of case
2. countable noun
A case is a person or their particular problem that a doctor, social worker, or other professional is dealing with.
...the case of a 57-year-old man who had suffered a stroke. [+ of]
Some cases of arthritis respond to a gluten-free diet. [+ of]
Child protection workers were meeting to discuss her case.
Synonyms: instance, example, occasion, specimen More Synonyms of case
3. countable noun [adjective NOUN]
If you say that someone is a sad case or a hopeless case, you mean that they are in a sad situation or a hopeless situation.
I knew I was going to make it–that I wasn't a hopeless case.
4. See also basket case, nutcase
5. countable noun
A case is a crime or mystery that the police are investigating.
The couple were made official suspects in the case.
Mr. Hitchens said you have solved some very unusual cases.
6. countable noun [usually singular]
The casefor or against a plan or idea consists of the facts and reasons used to support it or oppose it.
He sat there while I made the case for his dismissal. [+ for]
Both these facts strengthen the case against hanging. [+ against]
She argued her case.
Synonyms: argument, reasoning, ground(s), defence More Synonyms of case
7. countable noun
In law, a case is a trial or other legal inquiry.
It can be difficult for public figures to win a libel case.
The case was brought by his family, who say their reputation has been damaged.
8. See also test case
9.
See in any case
10.
See in any case
11.
See in case/just in case
12.
See in case of sth
13.
See in case
14.
See in that/which case
15.
See just in case
16.
See as/whatever the case may be
17.
See a case of
18.
See a case in point
19.
See to be the case
20.
See on the case
More Synonyms of case
case containers
(keɪs)
Word forms: plural cases
1. countable noun [oft noun NOUN]
A case is a container that is specially designed to hold or protect something.
...a black case for his spectacles. [+ for]
Synonyms: cabinet, box, chest, holder More Synonyms of case
2. See also attaché case, bookcase, briefcase, packing case, pillowcase, showcase
3. countable noun
A case is a suitcase.
4. countable noun
A caseof wine or other alcoholic drink is a box containing a number of bottles, usually twelve, which is sold as a single unit.
...a case of champagne.
case grammar term
(keɪs)
Word forms: plural cases
1. countable noun
In the grammar of many languages, the case of a group such as a noun group or adjective group is the form it has which showsits relationship to other groups in the sentence.
2. accusative, nominative
3. See also lower case, upper case
case in British English1
(keɪs)
noun
1.
a single instance, occurrence, or example of something
2.
an instance of disease, injury, hardship, etc
3.
a question or matter for discussion
the case before the committee
4.
a specific condition or state of affairs; situation
5.
a set of arguments supporting a particular action, cause, etc
6.
a.
a person attended or served by a doctor, social worker, solicitor, etc; patient or client
b.
(as modifier)
a case study
7.
a.
an action or suit at law or something that forms sufficient grounds for bringing an action
he has a good case
b.
the evidence offered in court to support a claim
8. grammar
a.
a set of grammatical categories of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives, marked by inflection in some languages, indicating the relation of the noun, adjective, or pronoun toother words in the sentence
b.
any one of these categories
the nominative case
9. informal
a person in or regarded as being in a specified condition
the accident victim was a hospital case
10. informal
a person of a specified character (esp in the phrase a hard case)
11. informal
an odd person; eccentric
12. US informal
love or infatuation
13. short for case shot, canister (sense 2b)
14. as the case may be
15. in any case
16. in case
17. in case of
18. in no case
Word origin
Old English casus (grammatical) case, associated also with Old French cas a happening; both from Latin cāsus, a befalling, occurrence, from cadere to fall
case in British English2
(keɪs)
noun
1.
a.
a container, such as a box or chest
b.
(in combination)
suitcase
briefcase
2.
an outer cover or sheath, esp for a watch
3.
a receptacle and its contents
a case of ammunition
4.
a pair or brace, esp of pistols
5. architecture another word for casing (sense 3)
6.
a completed cover ready to be fastened to a book to form its binding
7. printing
a tray divided into many compartments in which a compositor keeps individual metal types of a particular size and style. Cases were originallyused in pairs, one (the upper case) for capitals, the other (the lower case) for smallletters
See also upper case, lower case
8. metallurgy
the surface of a piece of steel that has been case-hardened
verb(transitive)
9.
to put into or cover with a case
to case the machinery
10. slang
to inspect carefully (esp a place to be robbed)
Word origin
C13: from Old French casse, from Latin capsa, from capere to take, hold
case in American English1
(keɪs)
noun
1.
an example, instance, or occurrence
a case of carelessness, a case of measles
2.
a person being treated or helped, as by a doctor or social worker
3.
any individual or matter requiring or undergoing official or formal observation, study, investigation, etc.
4.
a statement of the facts or circumstances, as in a law court, esp. the argument of one side
the case for the defendant
5.
supporting or convincing arguments or evidence; proper grounds for a statement or action
he has no case
6.
a legal action or suit, esp. one studied or cited as a precedent
7. US, Informal
a peculiar or eccentric person
8. US, Informal
an infatuation; crush
9. Grammar
a.
the syntactic relationship shown in highly inflected languages such as German and Latin by changes in the form of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives
b.
the form that a noun, pronoun, or adjective takes to show such relationship
c.
any of the sets of such forms
the accusative case
d.
in Modern English and other languages with relatively few inflections, such a relationship, whether expressed by word order or by inflectedforms; also, any of these forms or sets of forms, esp. the Modern English subjective, objective, and possessive forms of pronouns and possessive form of nouns
verb transitiveWord forms: cased or ˈcasing
10. US, Slang
to look over carefully, esp. in preparation for an intended robbery
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈinstance
Idioms:
get on someone's case
in any case
in case
in case of
in no case
Word origin
ME & OFr cas, an event < L casus, a chance, lit., falling, pp. of cadere, to fall < IE base *ad-, to fall > Sans ad-, to fall off; (sense 9) so named because L cases were thought of as “falling away”from the nom.: see accidence
case in American English2
(keɪs)
noun
1.
a container, as a box, crate, chest, sheath, or folder
2.
a protective cover or covering part
a leather case, seedcase
3.
a full box or its contents
a case of beer
4.
a set or pair
a case of pistols
5.
a frame as for a window or door
6.
a shallow compartmented tray in which printing type is kept
verb transitiveWord forms: cased or ˈcasing
7.
to put into a container
8.
to cover or enclose
Word origin
ME < OFr dial. casse (OFr chasse) < L capsa, box < capere, to take, hold: see have
More idioms containing
case
on the case
be on someone's case
a basket case
COBUILD Collocations
case
adjourn a case
bad case
business case
compelling case
complex case
confirmed case
consider the case
corruption case
discuss a case
dismiss a case
drop a case
examine a case
fight a case
handle a case
in both cases
legal case
pursue a case
reopen a case
report a case
settle a case
similar case
solve a case
tragic case
Examples of 'case' in a sentence
case
Waits have come down since claimants were told to present their case in person.
The Sun (2016)
That may be the case but the question is obvious and simple.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Which in many cases was exactly what happened.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Now they are defensively strong and five clean sheets in a row makes the case.
The Sun (2016)
This game was a case in point.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Soon after that, the cracks in the police case began to show.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In any case, their group is not overly onerous.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We're gonna need that in case it goes bad.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The representative added that his firm's action in this case could be seen to be over the top.
Computing (2010)
In this case the study group is the peer group.
Fisher, David E. Fire and Ice - the Greenhouse Effect, Ozone Depletion, and Nuclear Winter (1990)
All deny the claims and the case continues.
The Sun (2012)
This cake is a case in point.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The case may have collapsed but the memories endure.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We have reasonable prospects and a cogent case to make.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Lawyers are not usually able to predict with certainty or confidence the outcome of any particular case.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The whole affair was a sad case of bad timing.
Lisa Jardine THE CURIOUS LIFE OF ROBERT HOOKE: The Man who Measured London (2003)
The real test will be whether it can take effective action in serious cases.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Defence lawyers will normally prepare the case for the person who is accused.
Coyle, Andrew & Stern, Vivien The Prisons We Deserve (1994)
The party also budgeted carefully in case there was a second election this year.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The case involved a situation that occurs often in public employment.
Tompkins, Jonathan Human Resource Management in Government (1995)
They could lead to criminal charges that could put the civil case in an entirely different light.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We see cases where things either have gone wrong or are said to have gone wrong.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Winning then taught me that there is no such thing as a hopeless case.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Elsewhere in the world it is frequently the case that such groups support restrictions on urbanization.
Tomlinson, Richard Urbanization in Post-Apartheid South Africa (1990)
We are such a well-known brand for good or in some cases for bad.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The case against them continues, and so will the problem of car cloning until the security breach is plugged.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Word lists with
case
box, parts of a computer
In other languages
case
British English: case /keɪs/ NOUN
situation A case is a particular situation, especially one that you are using as an example.
He has a family to support – in his case, nine people.
American English: case
Arabic: حَالَة
Brazilian Portuguese: caso
Chinese: 案例
Croatian: slučaj
Czech: případ
Danish: tilfælde
Dutch: geval
European Spanish: caso
Finnish: tapaus
French: cas
German: Fall
Greek: περίπτωση
Italian: caso
Japanese: 場合
Korean: 사례 보기
Norwegian: tilfelle
Polish: przypadek wypadek
European Portuguese: caso
Romanian: caz
Russian: случай
Latin American Spanish: caso
Swedish: mål ärende
Thai: กรณี, เหตุการณ์
Turkish: vaka
Ukrainian: випадок
Vietnamese: trường hợp
British English: case /keɪs/ NOUN
container A case is a container that is used to hold or carry something.
He put the camera in its case.
American English: case
Arabic: غِلاف
Brazilian Portuguese: caixa
Chinese: 盒
Croatian: kutija
Czech: pouzdro
Danish: etui
Dutch: tasje
European Spanish: caja
Finnish: laukku
French: caisse
German: Tasche
Greek: θήκη
Italian: astuccio
Japanese: ケース
Korean: 상자
Norwegian: veske
Polish: etui
European Portuguese: mala
Romanian: geantă
Russian: чемодан
Latin American Spanish: estuche
Swedish: fodral
Thai: ซอง
Turkish: kap
Ukrainian: чохол
Vietnamese: vali
All related terms of 'case'
in case
You use in case in expressions like 'in case you didn't know ' or 'in case you've forgotten ' when you are telling someone in a rather irritated way something that you think is either obvious or none of their business.
bad case
A particular case is a particular situation or incident , especially one that you are using as an individual example or instance of something.
best-case
being the best that can possibly be expected ; optimal
case file
a file kept on a person who is involved in a medical , legal, or social work investigation
case law
Case law is law that has been established by following decisions made by judges in earlier cases.
case shot
a quantity of small projectiles enclosed in a single case, as a shrapnel shell , for firing from a gun
cold case
a police inquiry that has been suspended with the crime still unsolved
cot case
a person confined to bed through illness
day case
a patient or case that comes into hospital for a surgical procedure and is dealt with and released in the course of one day
egg case
ootheca
hard case
a tough person not swayed by sentiment
moot case
a case dealing with an abstract question , or one seeking a judgement on a right before the right has been asserted
nut case
one who is eccentric or crazy
sad case
a person considered to be ludicrously contemptible or pathetic
test case
A test case is a legal case which becomes an example for deciding other similar cases.
wing case
one of a pair of hardened forewings ; elytron
case-by-case
considering each case individually rather than considering several cases together as a whole
a case of
If you say that a task or situation is a case of a particular thing, you mean that it consists of that thing or can be described as that thing.
basket case
If someone describes a country or organization as a basket case , they mean that its economy or finances are in a seriously bad state.
case-harden
to form a hard surface layer of high carbon content on (a steel component) by heating in a carburizing environment with subsequent quenching or heat treatment
case knife
→ sheath knife
case knives
→ case knife
case method
the teaching or elucidation of a subject or issue through analysis and discussion of actual cases, as in business education
case notes
the notes taken by a doctor , lawyer , or social worker about a case they are working on
case papers
the notes taken by a doctor , lawyer , or social worker about a case they are working on
case stated
a statement of the facts of a case prepared by one court for the opinion or judgment of another court
case study
A case study is a written account that gives detailed information about a person, group, or thing and their development over a period of time.
case system
a system followed by some languages, in which a set of grammatical categories , sometimes marked by inflection , indicates the relation of the noun , adjective , or pronoun to other words in the sentence
cigar case
a case of a suitable size and shape to hold cigars
court case
a legal action
glass case
a case made of glass , usually in a wood or metal frame , used for displaying and protecting precious or important objects
heart case
a patient undergoing treatment for a heart condition
index case
the first case of a disease, or the primary case referred to in a report
jewel case
A jewel case is a box for keeping jewels in.
joined case
a trial combining multiple related claims , etc
legal case
In law, a case is a trial or other legal inquiry .
lower case
Lower-case letters are small letters, not capital letters.
murder case
a murder that is being investigated by the police , or tried in court
music case
a kind of briefcase for carrying sheet music
pastry case
a case made of pastry that is filled with fruit, custard etc to make a tart or flan
pencil case
a case for carrying pencils , pens , rubbers , etc
sample case
a handheld container of samples of products used by a salesperson to show potential customers what is available
spore case
→ sporangium
stated case
a statement of the facts of a case prepared by one court for the opinion or judgment of another court
toilet case
a waterproof bag for holding bathrooms items ( soap and toothpaste etc.) when you are travelling
tragic case
A particular case is a particular situation or incident , especially one that you are using as an individual example or instance of something.
upper case
Upper case letters are capital letters.
vanity case
a woman's small hand case used to carry cosmetics , etc
violin case
a portable container that you keep a violin in
worst case
a situation in which the most unfavourable conditions prevail
Chinese translation of 'case'
case
(keɪs)
n
(c) (= instance) 情况(況) (qíngkuàng) (种(種), zhǒng)
⇒ This causes problems in some cases.这在某些情况下引起了问题。 (Zhè zài mǒu xiē qíngkuàng xià yǐnqǐle wèntí.)
(c)[of doctor, social worker, solicitor etc]个(個)案 (gè'àn)
(c) (before judge, tribunal etc, for investigation) 案件 (ànjiàn)
⇒ a murder case一桩谋杀案 (yī zhuāng móushā'àn)
⇒ one of Sherlock Holmes's most famous cases夏洛克·福尔摩斯最出名的案件之一 (Xiàluòkè Fúěrmósī zuì chūmíng de ànjiàn zhī yī)
(c) (= container) 盒子 (hézi) (个(個), gè)
(c) (Brit) (also suitcase)
行李箱 (xínglixiāng) (个(個), gè)
(c) (= quantity)[of wine, whisky]一箱 (yī xiāng)
⇒ a case of champagne一箱香槟酒 (yī xiāng xiāngbīnjiǔ)
(c/u) (Ling) 格 (gé)
lower/upper case小/大写(寫) (xiǎo/dàxiě)
to have a good case (= argument) 有充足的论(論)证(證) (yǒu chōngzú de lùnzhèng)
there's a strong case for/against reform有强(強)烈支持/反对(對)改革的理由 (yǒu qiángliè zhīchí/fǎnduì gǎigé de lǐyóu)
it's a case of trying to get fit需要保持健康 (xūyào bǎochí jiànkāng)
in case of[fire, emergency]如果发(發)生 (rúguǒ fāshēng)
in case he comes以防万(萬)一他会(會)来(來) (yǐfáng wànyī tā huì lái)
in case you hadn't noticed如果你还(還)没(沒)注意到的话(話) (rúguǒ nǐ hái méi zhùyì dào de huà)
in any case无(無)论(論)如何 (wúlùn rúhé)
just in case以防万(萬)一 (yǐfáng wànyī)
in that case既然是那样(樣) (jìrán shì nàyàng)
if that is the case如果是这(這)样(樣)的话(話) (rúguǒ shì zhèyàng de huà)
a case in point恰当(當)的例子 (qiàdàng de lìzi)
All related terms of 'case'
pencil case
铅(鉛)笔(筆)盒 qiānbǐhé [ 个(個) gè ]
in any case
无(無)论(論)如何 wúlùn rúhé
in case of
( fire, emergency ) 如果发(發)生 rúguǒ fāshēng
in that case
既然是那样(樣) jìrán shì nàyàng
in which case
在这(這)种(種)情况(況)下 zài zhè zhǒng qíngkuàng xià
just in case
以防万(萬)一 yǐfáng wànyī
a case in point
恰当(當)的例子 qiàdàng de lìzi
I rest my case
( hum ) 我无(無)需多说(說)了 wǒ wúxū duō shuō le
in case he comes
以防万(萬)一他会(會)来(來) yǐfáng wànyī tā huì lái
lower/upper case
小/大写(寫) xiǎo/dàxiě
if that is the case
如果是这(這)样(樣)的话(話) rúguǒ shì zhèyàng de huà
to have a good case
( argument ) 有充足的论(論)证(證) yǒu chōngzú de lùnzhèng
in case you hadn't noticed
如果你还(還)没(沒)注意到的话(話) rúguǒ nǐ hái méi zhùyì dào de huà
put your case down anywhere
把箱子放在哪儿(兒)都行 bǎ xiāngzi fàng zài nǎr dōu xíng
to make out a case for sth
提出理由证(證)实(實)某事 tíchū lǐyóu zhèngshí mǒushì
he threw some socks into his case
他把几(幾)只袜(襪)子扔进(進)了箱子里(裡) tā bǎ jǐ zhī wàzi rēngjìnle xiāngzi li
it's a case of trying to get fit
需要保持健康 xūyào bǎochí jiànkāng
there's a strong case for/against reform
有强(強)烈支持/反对(對)改革的理由 yǒu qiángliè zhīchí/fǎnduì gǎigé de lǐyóu
1 (noun)
Definition
a specific condition or state of affairs
In extreme cases, insurance companies can prosecute for fraud.
Synonyms
situation
We are in a difficult financial situation.
event
circumstance(s)
state
You shouldn't be lifting heavy things in your state.
position
He's going to be in a difficult position if things go badly.
condition
The government has to encourage people to better their condition.
context
the historical context in which Chaucer wrote
dilemma
The issue raises a moral dilemma.
plight
the plight of Third World countries plagued by debts
contingency
predicament
The decision will leave her in a predicament.
2 (noun)
Definition
a person or problem dealt with by a doctor, social worker, or solicitor
Expensive hospital cases are monitored by a case manager.
Synonyms
patient
She specializes in the treatment of cancer patients.
client
The company requires clients to pay substantial fees in advance.
sufferer
3 (noun)
Definition
a single instance or example of something
Some cases of arthritis respond to a gluten-free diet.
Synonyms
instance
a serious instance of corruption
example
examples of sexism and racism in society
occasion
I often think fondly of an occasion some years ago.
specimen
a perfect specimen of a dinosaur fossil
occurrence
the greatest occurrence of heart disease in the over-65s
4 (noun)
The police have several suspects in this murder case.
Synonyms
investigation
He ordered an investigation into the affair.
search
There was no chance of him being found alive and the search was abandoned.
inquiry
a murder inquiry
inspection
A routine inspection of the vessel turned up 50 kg of the drug.
5 (noun)
Definition
the evidence offered in court to support a claim
Jefferson presented the case for independence in a vivid and convincing manner.
Synonyms
argument
There's a strong argument for lowering the price.
reasoning
She was not really convinced by their line of reasoning.
ground(s)
defence
a spirited defence of the government's economic progress
logic
The plan was based on sound commercial logic.
justification
I knew there was no justification for what I was doing.
line of reasoning
6 (noun)
Definition
an action or lawsuit
He lost his case at the European Court of Human Rights.
Synonyms
lawsuit
The dispute culminated in a lawsuit against the government.
process
steps in the impeachment process against the president
trial
New evidence showed that he lied at the trial.
suit
The judge dismissed the suit.
proceedings
dispute
cause
action
a libel action brought by one of the country's top bureaucrats
1 (noun)
Definition
a container, such as a box or chest
There was a ten-foot long stuffed alligator in a glass case.
Synonyms
cabinet
a display cabinet with gleaming trophies
box
chest
At the very bottom of the chest were some carving tools.
holder
a toothbrush holder
2 (noun)
Definition
a container, such as a box or chest
She held up a blue spectacle case.
Synonyms
container
The paint is supplied in a clear, plastic container.
compact
capsule
carton
A large and heavy cardboard carton had been delivered to the house.
cartridge
Change the filter cartridge as often as instructed by the manufacturer.
canister
casket
a jewellery casket made from French walnut
receptacle
a receptacle for water
coffret
3 (noun)
Definition
a suitcase
The porter brought my cases down and called for a taxi.
Synonyms
suitcase
It did not take Andrew long to pack a suitcase.
bag
The airline lost my bag so I didn't have any training gear.
grip
trunk
He had left most of his records in a trunk in the attic.
holdall
portmanteau
valise
4 (noun)
Definition
a container, such as a box or chest
The winner will receive a case of champagne.
Synonyms
crate
A crane was already unloading crates and pallets.
box
They sat on wooden boxes.
5 (noun)
Definition
a protective outer covering
Vanilla is the seed case of a South American orchid.
Synonyms
covering
Sawdust was used as a hygienic floor covering.
casing
Bullet casings lay scattered on the ground.
cover
Put a polythene cover over it to protect it from dust.
shell
They cracked the nuts and removed their shells.
wrapping
jacket
potatoes in their jackets
envelope
She opened the envelope and withdrew a typed note.
capsule
Each flower is globular, with an egg-shaped capsule.
folder
sheath
It grows on a nerve sheath within the spinal column.
wrapper
an unsmoked cigar in its cellophane wrapper
integument
Additional synonyms
in the sense of action
Definition
a lawsuit
a libel action brought by one of the country's top bureaucrats
Synonyms
lawsuit,
case,
cause,
trial,
suit,
argument,
proceeding,
dispute,
contest,
prosecution,
litigation
in the sense of bag
Definition
a piece of luggage
The airline lost my bag so I didn't have any training gear.
Synonyms
luggage,
chest,
container,
trunk,
suitcase,
baggage,
crate,
rucksack,
backpack,
holdall,
knapsack,
coffret,
overnighter
in the sense of box
Definition
a container with a firm base and sides and sometimes a removable or hinged lid