case study: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic
Quick answer
What does “case study” mean?
An in-depth, detailed examination of a single individual, group, event, or organization, often used as a learning tool or to understand a general principle through a specific example.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An in-depth, detailed examination of a single individual, group, event, or organization, often used as a learning tool or to understand a general principle through a specific example.
Any detailed, focused analysis of a particular instance, used to explore characteristics, causes, or effects. In modern usage, it can refer to a compelling, real-world example used for illustration or marketing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or application. Slight preference in British English for 'case study' in medical/clinical contexts; American English shows stronger usage in business/marketing.
Connotations
In both, it connotes thoroughness, real-world relevance, and pedagogical or analytical value.
Frequency
Equally common and standard in both academic and professional registers in the US and UK.
Grammar
How to Use “case study” in a Sentence
[verb] + a case study (e.g., conduct, present)a case study + [preposition] + [noun] (e.g., of a company, in psychology)a case study + [verb] (e.g., examining, illustrating)use + [noun phrase] + as a case studyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “case study” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not standard; the term is not used as a verb.)
American English
- (Not standard; the term is not used as a verb.)
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; the term is not used as an adverb.)
American English
- (Not standard; the term is not used as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- The case-study approach is common in qualitative research.
- They adopted a case-study methodology.
American English
- The case-study method was central to the course.
- We reviewed a case-study analysis of the merger.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
A detailed report on a company's strategy, success, or failure, used for training or to win clients. 'We prepared a case study on our work with TechGlobal to share with potential partners.'
Academic
A research method involving empirical investigation of a phenomenon within its real-life context. 'Her dissertation included a case study of language acquisition in a bilingual household.'
Everyday
Used loosely to mean a perfect or typical example. 'My neighbour's renovation is a case study in how to go over budget.'
Technical
In medicine, a detailed report on a single patient. In social sciences, a methodologically bounded investigation of a single unit of analysis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “case study”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “case study”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “case study”
- Using it as a verb ('We will case study this'). Correct: 'We will conduct a case study on this.'
- Using 'case study' to mean any example, losing the connotation of systematic analysis.
- Incorrect article: 'He is a case study' (person as object of study) vs. 'He is the subject of a case study'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You conduct 'a case study' or several 'case studies'.
Colloquially, yes (e.g., 'He's a case study in patience'). Formally, a person is the *subject* or *focus* of a case study.
A 'case study' implies a detailed, structured analysis. An 'example' is a simpler, more general illustration.
No. It's a core method in social sciences, medicine, business, law, and design, and is used informally in many fields.
An in-depth, detailed examination of a single individual, group, event, or organization, often used as a learning tool or to understand a general principle through a specific example.
Case study is usually formal, academic in register.
Case study: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkeɪs ˌstʌd.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkeɪs ˌstʌd.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Something] is a textbook case study in [something].”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a detective studying a single CASE file in depth to understand the crime—it's a CASE STUDY.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MICROSCOPE (zooming in on one specific example to see detail); A SPECIMEN (a single instance representing a larger class for examination).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'case study' LEAST appropriately used?