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Synonyms

suitcase

American  
[soot-keys] / ˈsutˌkeɪs /

noun

  1. a usually rectangular piece of luggage especially for carrying clothes while traveling.


suitcase British  
/ ˈsjuːt-, ˈsuːtˌkeɪs /

noun

  1. a portable rectangular travelling case, usually stiffened, for carrying clothing, etc

"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

suitcase Idioms  
  1. see live out (of a suitcase).


Etymology

Origin of suitcase

First recorded in 1900–05; suit + case 2

Compare meaning

How does suitcase compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Explanation

A suitcase is a piece of luggage that usually has a handle. If you're going on a week-long vacation, you should probably pack a suitcase to bring with you. Don't forget your toothbrush! If your suitcase is large enough, you'll have to check it when you fly on an airplane — you can carry only small suitcases into the cabin of the plane. These days most suitcases have wheels so you can roll them along behind you as you walk through a bus station or down the sidewalk. The earliest suitcases were sewn from wool, linen, or leather, often covering a wooden frame. Today, most suitcases are made of nylon or lightweight metal.

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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.

It was raining and brutally windy, and I nearly slid down a hill with my suitcase.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

“I had brought a little suitcase, and I kept calling my parents and saying, ‘Send more clothes!’”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

After a visit home, I returned to campus with a stockpile, like a confectionery smuggler crossing state lines with sugary contraband stuffed between sweatshirts in my suitcase.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

So, while his wife may not recover the value of everything in her suitcase, Chris believes the strict liability Ryanair are under means they will eventually have to pay his wife compensation.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

Serena brought a suitcase full of stuffed animals and toys for the Cange pediatric ward.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French