suitcase
SOOT-kays
Suitcase (noun) means a rectangular case with a handle, used for carrying clothes and belongings when travelling. Example: “He packed his suitcase the night before the flight.”
noun
1
A rectangular case with a handle, used for carrying clothes and belongings when travelling.
"Many seats carry reservation labels, while the luggage racks are festooned with backpacks and suitcases."
— Paul Bigland, Destination Oban: a Sunday in Scotland (2022)
"My suitcase is stowed in the luggage rack."
"A stocky cabwoman removed a large wheeled suitcase."
— Edith Pearlman, Honeydew (2014)
"He packed his suitcase the night before the flight."
"Her suitcase was over the airline's weight limit."
How to use suitcase
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA hard or soft case with a handle for carrying clothes and other items while travelling.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
pack a suitcase
live out of a suitcase
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Word forms
- Plural
- suitcases
- Third person singular
- suitcases
- Past tense
- suitcased
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He packed his _____ the night before the flight.
Etymology
A straightforward compound of suit and case, since suitcases were originally made to carry a suit of clothes.
Related words
Rhymes for suitcase
See all rhymes for suitcase →Frequently asked questions
What does “suitcase” mean?
The word “suitcase” means a rectangular case with a handle, used for carrying clothes and belongings when travelling. In plain terms, a hard or soft case with a handle for carrying clothes and other items while travelling.
How do you pronounce “suitcase”?
“Suitcase” is pronounced SOOT-kays (/ˈsutkeɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “suitcase” in a sentence?
Here is “suitcase” used in a sentence: “He packed his suitcase the night before the flight.”
What part of speech is “suitcase”?
“Suitcase” is a noun.
Is “suitcase” a common word?
“Suitcase” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between a "suitcase" and a "duffel bag"?
A suitcase is a rigid, rectangular case with a handle used for carrying clothes and belongings, while a duffel bag is a soft, cylindrical bag without a rigid frame. Suitcases generally protect delicate items better, while duffel bags pack more flexibly into tight spaces.
Is a "suitcase" the same thing as "luggage"?
Not exactly. Luggage is the general term for all bags and cases used for travel, while a suitcase is one specific type of luggage: a rectangular case with a handle.
What is the difference between a "suitcase" and a "carry-on"?
A suitcase refers to the type of case itself, while carry-on describes a size category of luggage small enough to bring onto a plane rather than check. A suitcase can be either a carry-on or a checked bag depending on its size.
