briefcase meaning

briefcase means 'a flat, rectangular container with a handle used for carrying papers or documents'.

briefcase :

attache, portfolio, document case, laptop case

noun

▪ He opened his briefcase to take out some papers.

▪ He opened his portfolio to take out some papers.

▪ She carries her documents in a briefcase.

▪ She carries her documents in a portfolio.

paraphrasing

▪ attache – briefcase

▪ portfolio – briefcase

▪ document case – briefcase

▪ laptop case – briefcase

briefcase

Pronunciation

briefcase [ˈbriːfkeɪs]

The stress is on the first part 'brief' and sounds like 'brief-kays'.

Common phrases and grammar about briefcase

briefcase - Common meaning

noun
attache, portfolio, document case, laptop case

Part of Speech Changes for "briefcase"

▪ briefcase does not have commonly used derivatives.

Common Expressions with "briefcase"

▪ carry a briefcase – to hold a briefcase while walking

▪ open a briefcase – to open the briefcase

▪ put something in a briefcase – to place items in the briefcase

▪ close the briefcase – to shut the briefcase

Important examples of briefcase in TOEIC

Vocabulary examples from the TOEIC test

In TOEIC word questions, briefcase usually refers to a container used by professionals to carry documents.

▪He took his briefcase and left the office.
▪He grabbed his document holder and left the office.

Example of a confusing word: suitcase (used for travel)

▪He took his suitcase and left the office.
▪He packed his travel bag and left the office.
"Briefcase" is a noun that refers to a flat, rectangular container, typically made of leather or hard material, used by professionals to carry documents, laptops, and other work-related items. In the sentence "He took his briefcase and left the office," the usage is correct and implies a professional setting. On the other hand, "suitcase" is a noun that refers to a large, often rectangular bag with a handle, used for carrying clothes and personal items during travel. Using "suitcase" in this context is inappropriate because it suggests a travel scenario rather than a professional one. Therefore, "briefcase" is the correct choice here.

Grammar examples from the TOEIC test

Briefcase is a countable noun and can be used as a subject or object in sentences.

▪She opened her briefcase to get the reports.
▪She opened her document holder to get the reports.

briefcase

Idioms and fixed expressions in TOEIC

The word 'briefcase' is not commonly used in idioms in TOEIC Part 7.

The word 'briefcase' does not have unique idiomatic expressions in TOEIC Part 7.

Differences between similar words and briefcase

briefcase

,

suitcase

differences

A briefcase is used to carry documents, while a suitcase is used to carry clothes and personal items.

briefcase
▪She packed her briefcase for the meeting.
▪She packed her suitcase for the trip.
suitcase
▪suitcase – used to carry clothes and personal items.
▪She packed her clothes in a suitcase.

briefcase

,

portfolio

differences

A briefcase typically carries documents and a portfolio is used more for carrying artwork or presentations.

briefcase
▪He put his briefcase on the table.
▪portfolio – used to carry artwork or presentations.
portfolio
▪portfolio – a case used to carry artwork or presentations.
▪portfolio – used to carry artwork or presentations.

Words with the same origin as briefcase

The origin of briefcase

briefcase is made from 'brief' meaning short and 'case' meaning container.

Word structure

The word is composed of 'brief' (short) and 'case' (container).

Words with the same origin

case – words with the same root include 'suitcase', 'showcase', 'case study', 'legal case'.

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