case
noun (countable)
UK/keɪs/US/keɪs/
A legal or medical matter requiring investigation, argument, or treatment; also used to refer to a set of facts or reasons supporting an argument.
Example Sentences
The lawyers prepared their case by gathering all the necessary evidence.
It was a challenging case that required expert medical consultations.
The detective worked tirelessly to crack the case and find the missing person.
Her case for increasing the research budget was supported by recent scientific breakthroughs.
We have a strong case against the company that polluted the river.
Doctors documented each patient’s case in a comprehensive medical report.
After months of investigation, the prosecution finally presented a compelling case, linking all the forensic evidence and eyewitness accounts into a cohesive narrative for the jury.
When the hospital admitted several patients with unusual symptoms, the medical team recognized a complex case that would demand collaboration across multiple specialties to diagnose and treat effectively.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
verb (transitive)
UK/keɪs/US/keɪs/
To examine or investigate a place or situation carefully, often with negative intent such as planning a crime (informal usage).
Example Sentences
The criminals cased the bank before attempting the robbery.
He pretended to be a customer, but he was really casing the store for weaknesses.
Security cameras help deter those who try to case homes in the neighborhood.
Thieves often case buildings several times to figure out the best approach.
Law enforcement officers noticed a suspicious individual casing the jewelry shop.
It’s important to lock your doors at night in case someone tries to case the property.
After noticing unfamiliar cars circling the block multiple times, the vigilant neighbor concluded that someone might be trying to case the houses, prompting him to alert the neighborhood watch group.
The undercover detective carefully cased the warehouse from a distance, gathering vital information on the operation’s layout and guard rotations without arousing suspicion.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
A container or instance used across practical, legal, or grammatical contexts.Grammatically, this noun can reference a range of meanings. In everyday speech, it might denote a container—like a ‘phone case’ or ‘suitcase,’ each protecting or holding something. Legally, a ‘court case’ involves disputes or charges brought before a judge or jury. In grammar, ‘case’ signifies how nouns or pronouns change form to convey function within a sentence (e.g., subjective, objective, possessive). Meanwhile, ‘case study’ in academic or professional writing refers to an in-depth example exploring a particular subject or problem. You can also ‘make a case’ for an argument, meaning you present reasons or evidence supporting your viewpoint. Additionally, the phrase ‘in case’ introduces a conditional aspect—preparing for something that may or may not happen (“Take an umbrella in case it rains”). Usage is context-dependent: a doctor, lawyer, teacher, or engineer might all mention a ‘case’ with different connotations. Clarity rests on specifying which type of scenario or object you mean. When speaking or writing, consider pairing ‘case’ with descriptors like ‘legal,’ ‘storage,’ ‘use,’ or ‘example’ to ensure listeners and readers quickly grasp your intended meaning. Whether highlighting protection, argumentation, or demonstration, this term’s adaptability helps anchor communication in numerous fields and everyday situations.
Alternatives
If you want to avoid repeating this term too frequently, synonyms and related phrases can be adapted to context. For a container or holder, consider words like ‘box,’ ‘holder,’ or ‘encasement,’ which stress the physical aspect of storing or protecting items. In legal contexts, alternatives such as ‘lawsuit,’ ‘legal matter,’ or ‘proceeding’ might fit better, highlighting the formal nature of a dispute or trial. When referencing a scenario or instance, you could opt for ‘example,’ ‘instance,’ or ‘situation,’ especially in academic or explanatory writing. If you’re discussing research, ‘study,’ ‘analysis,’ or ‘investigation’ might suit, and for arguing a point, phrases like ‘argument,’ ‘position,’ or ‘rationale’ help articulate your reasoning. For grammar, you might specify ‘grammatical form’ or ‘inflection’ to emphasize linguistic features. With phrases like ‘in the event that’ instead of ‘in case,’ you maintain conditional nuance without repeating the same word. Each alternative carries its own emphasis—whether physical, legal, or conceptual. Selecting the right synonym prevents monotony and can add precision, ensuring the reader or listener understands exactly which dimension of the situation, object, or context you’re referring to. By alternating words thoughtfully, you keep your communication clear, engaging, and suited to the setting or discipline at hand.
Writing
When writing about this versatile term, consider how clarity and context guide interpretation. If you’re outlining a research ‘case study,’ specify details like purpose, methods, and findings so readers can grasp the significance of your chosen example. In a legal brief, referencing a ‘court case’ should include its parties, claims, and legal basis to avoid ambiguity. If you’re drafting instructions or manuals, detail how a ‘protective case’ functions or why it’s beneficial, for example: “Use a sturdy phone case to guard against drops or scratches.” In academic or argumentative texts, you might say, “I will build a strong case for policy reform,” indicating systematic evidence and reasoning. Meanwhile, clarifying grammar usage calls for explicit mention of ‘grammatical case’: “In English, the pronoun ‘I’ changes to ‘me’ in the objective case.” Vary sentence structures, employing examples or analogies to help readers see how the term applies to different domains. Ensure the usage suits the register—formal legal contexts may require precise references to statutes or precedents, whereas a casual blog post might only hint at the protective nature of a phone case. Balancing detail and brevity ensures your audience stays informed and engaged, letting ‘case’ serve its role without overshadowing your broader argument, narrative, or explanation.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, this word frequently appears in informal idioms and expressions. For instance, when you say, “Just in case,” you’re talking about being prepared for something that might happen—like grabbing a jacket in case the weather turns chilly. If you’re discussing a personal problem, you might refer to it as “a tricky case,” meaning it’s a tough situation to resolve. When a friend is describing an awkward social scenario, you might respond, “That sounds like a case of bad timing,” summing up their situation neatly. People often say, “It’s not the case,” to clarify a misunderstanding or reject a misinterpretation. If you’re describing how to do something, you might add, “Use this case to hold all your pens,” highlighting the practical container use. Naturally, casual conversation doesn’t demand deep specificity—your tone can be light, and people can generally infer context from your story or body language. Still, being specific can help avoid confusion: mention whether you’re talking about a travel case, legal dispute, or a hypothetical scenario. Day-to-day speech allows this term to flex in meaning effortlessly, whether you’re summarizing a mishap, giving travel tips, or chatting about everyday items that need protection. Used thoughtfully, it keeps interactions clear and comfortable, bridging the gap between everyday materials and conceptual references without missing a beat.
Etymology
The word “case” in English stems largely from the Old French ‘cas,’ itself derived from Latin ‘casus,’ which carried the sense of an occurrence or happening. As legal systems, social structures, and linguistic study evolved, the term branched into numerous applications—from an event or circumstance to a container or instance under examination. Its legal connotations possibly arose as societies codified disputes and decisions, labeling each dispute a ‘case’ to be argued before a court. Similarly, in grammar, the notion of ‘case’ developed from the idea of falling or changing form (‘casus’ can also denote ‘a fall’ in Latin), reflecting how nouns and pronouns shift to indicate functions within sentences. Over time, English speakers adapted and expanded the term for practical containers (e.g., ‘suitcase,’ literally a case for suits) and more abstract usage (e.g., ‘case study’). Today, it neatly embodies both physical and conceptual enclosures, bridging everyday items (phone cases, carrying cases) and structured situations (legal or academic). Its broad adaptability demonstrates how a single root concept—an occurrence or enclosure—can spawn a multitude of uses, each preserving a core idea of containing, examining, or exemplifying something within defined boundaries.
