case
9 synonyms and 0 antonyms for case, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A particular situation, instance, or set of facts.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use case
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Two words merged into one spelling: the "event" sense is from Old French cas ("an event"), from Latin casus ("a fall, an occurrence"); the "container" sense is from Anglo-Norman casse, from Latin capsa ("box").
Full origin of case →Frequently asked questions
What does “case” mean?
The word “case” means a particular situation, instance, or set of facts. In plain terms, either a specific situation/example (including legal or medical ones) or a box/covering that holds something.
How do you pronounce “case”?
“Case” is pronounced kays (/keɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “case” in a sentence?
Here is “case” used in a sentence: “In this case, it's better to wait and see.”
What is another word for “case”?
Words with a similar meaning to “case” include befall and grammatical case.
What part of speech is “case”?
Depending on how it is used, “case” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “case” come from?
The word “case” comes from Latin. Two words merged into one spelling: the "event" sense is from Old French cas ("an event"), from Latin casus ("a fall, an occurrence"); the "container" sense is from Anglo-Norman casse, from Latin capsa ("box").
Is “case” a common word?
“Case” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “case” have?
“Case” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a particular situation, instance, or set of facts.
What is the difference between a 'case' and an 'instance'?
The two overlap and are often interchangeable. An 'instance' is simply one occurrence or example of something. A 'case' tends to add context — a particular situation with its own set of facts to weigh, as in a legal or medical case. Every case is an instance, but a case usually implies more detail.
What are the different meanings of 'case'?
Beyond a situation or instance, 'case' can mean a legal action decided in court, a medical occurrence of an illness ('a case of flu'), a container or protective box ('a phone case'), or a grammatical form of a noun. The surrounding words usually make clear which meaning is intended.
What does 'in that case' mean?
'In that case' means 'if that is the situation' or 'given those facts.' It links a response to a condition just mentioned: 'You're tired? In that case, let's rest.' Related expressions include 'in any case,' meaning regardless, and 'in case,' meaning as a precaution against something.
What is an example of 'case' meaning a situation?
'In this case, the usual rules don't apply' treats 'case' as a specific situation. 'It's a classic case of poor planning' uses it as an instance of something. A 'case-by-case' decision means judging each situation separately, on its own particular set of facts rather than by one blanket rule.