briefcase

IPA/ˈbriːfkeɪs/
KK[brˈifkˌes]IPA/ˈbriːfkeɪs/

briefcase — noun

  • briefcasesingular
  • briefcasesplural

1. a flat work bag or hard case that you carry by hand for papers, files, or a lapt

1.nounB1
Definition

a flat work bag or hard case that you carry by hand for papers, files, or a laptop, especially when going to the office or an important meeting.

Example

Ravi slid the sales contract into his black briefcase before the train arrived.

put documents into a briefcase

On the courtroom bench, Ms. Chen opened her briefcase and pulled out three folders.

open a briefcase and remove papers

Common collocations
  • leather briefcase
  • briefcase handle
  • open a briefcase
  • carry a briefcase
  • briefcase full of papers
Synonyms
  • attaché case

    more formal and often harder-sided; strongly associated with business use

  • portfolio

    flatter case or folder, often for carrying documents without much extra space

  • satchel

    usually softer and often worn with a shoulder strap, not mainly for office papers

Grammar Patterns

carry a briefcase

put [papers] in a briefcase

a briefcase full of [documents]

Usage Note

Usually carried by office workers, lawyers, or business travelers, and the contents are most often papers, files, or a laptop. Unlike a backpack or satchel, a briefcase is typically flat, firm, and held by a handle rather than worn on the body.

Common Mistakes

The contract is on my briefcase.
The contract is in my briefcase.
papers are normally kept inside it, so use 'in'.
Nadia took a briefcase on the mountain trail.
Nadia took a backpack on the mountain trail.
a briefcase is for work papers and similar items, not hiking gear.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A 'briefcase' is the usual word for a flat work bag carried by a handle, especially for papers, files, or a laptop. An 'attaché case' is more formal and often sounds more expensive or more rigid. A 'portfolio' is even flatter and is mainly for documents, drawings, or thin files, not many personal items. A 'satchel' is softer and often has a shoulder strap, so it does not suggest the same business image. A 'backpack' is worn on the back and is better for carrying heavier everyday things. You might carry contracts in a briefcase, but sketches in a portfolio and clothes in a backpack.

briefcase ↗attaché caseportfolio ↗satchelbackpack ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • leather briefcase
  • briefcase handle
  • briefcase full of papers

Phrases

  • carry a briefcase
  • open a briefcase
  • pack papers into a briefcase

Prepositions

  • in a briefcase

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Briefcase was formed in English from 'brief' and 'case'. In older legal use, a brief was a set of papers prepared for a lawyer. The compound first meant the case used to carry those papers, and later became the general word for the flat business bag used today.