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Synonyms

case study

American  

noun

  1. a study of an individual unit, as a person, family, or social group, usually emphasizing developmental issues and relationships with the environment, especially in order to compare a larger group to the individual unit.

  2. case history.

case study British  

noun

  1. the act or an instance of analysing one or more particular cases or case histories with a view to making generalizations

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of case study

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Case study on how accumulating obscene wealth accelerates narcissistic insecurities to the point of madness," wrote Guardian editor Antoun Issa.

From Salon • Feb. 10, 2023

Case study: A fissure opens between an Arab-Israeli man and his diplomat wife when their family relocates to Paris from Tel Aviv in the 10-part drama “The Attaché.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2021

Case study: United after Busby After the European Cup had been won in 1968, where else was there to go?

From The Guardian • Feb. 25, 2016

Case study after case study has shown that, with the right protection, Ebola doesn’t spread easily.

From Forbes • Oct. 3, 2014

Case study - Janine Pugh, a carer for eight years, who works with children and adults.

From BBC • Sep. 10, 2014

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.