What does “case” mean?
- 1
nouna particular situation or example of something
In some cases, the medicine causes headaches.
- 2
nouna matter that is decided in a court of law, or a crime the police investigate
The case will go to court next month.
- 3
nouna container for keeping or carrying something
Put your glasses back in their case.
Case at a glance
- Part of speech
- noun
- CEFR level
- A2 (elementary)
- Pronunciation
- /keɪs/ · KAYS
How to use “case” correctly
“In case” means as a precaution: “Take a coat in case it rains” (not “if it rains”, which means only when it actually rains).
Common phrases with “case”
- in case
- in that case
- in any case
- a court case
“case” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- bill nounA2a statement of how much you must pay for something
- crime nounA2an action that is against the law
- culture nounA2the way of life, customs and beliefs of a group of people
- government nounA2the group of people who officially control a country or area
- law nounA2an official rule made by a government
- lawyer nounA2a person whose job is to give legal advice and represent people in court
- leader nounA2a person who leads or controls a group, country or organization
- police nounA2the official organization whose job is to keep order and stop crime