2 syllables: brief, case. Stress on brief.
BREEF-kays
/ˈbɹiˌfkeɪs/
briefcase is pronounced BREEF-kays (/ˈbɹiˌfkeɪs/). It has two syllables (brief-case), with the stress on "brief". A portable container with a rigid structure, typically used for carrying papers, documents, or a laptop. It is designed to combine practicality with a formal appearance, often used in business settings or professional environments. The term can also describe a single, closed container with a handle for transport. The word emphasizes both function and professional presentation.
A portable container with a rigid structure, typically used for carrying papers, documents, or a laptop. It is designed to combine practicality with a formal appearance, often used in business settings or professional environments. The term can also describe a single, closed container with a handle for transport. The word emphasizes both function and professional presentation.
"She carried her important documents in a sleek briefcase to the meeting."
"The executive opened his briefcase to reveal a neatly organized folder and a tablet."
"After the conference, he locked his briefcase and headed to the next appointment."
/ˈbrɪfˌkeɪs/ in US and UK English, with primary stress on BRIF and a secondary cue on CASE when spoken slowly. The first syllable uses a short i as in “bit,” followed by “f” and then a clear /keɪs/ diphthong that sounds like ‘case’. Mouth position: lips neutral to slight spread for /ɪ/; teeth bite gently for /f/; jaw drops slightly for /keɪs/; vowel /eɪ/ slides from mid to high front position. In connected speech, the two syllables blend smoothly while preserving the stress pattern.
Mistakes include pronouncing as two even syllables with the same emphasis (BRIFFE-CASE) and misplacing the /ɪ/ or treating /keɪs/ as /kɛs/. Correct by enforcing primary stress on BRIF and shortening the /ɪ/ in the first syllable, then forming /keɪs/ as a distinct diphthong. Ensure you release the /f/ before moving into /keɪs/ without adding a vowel between. Practice pacing so BRIF carries more weight than CASE.
US: /ˈbrɪfˌkeɪs/, with clear /ɪ/ and a pronounced /eɪ/. UK: /ˈbrɪf.keɪs/ often with a crisper /k/ and perhaps lighter second syllable stress. AU: /ˈbrɪf.keɪs/ tends to keep the same rhythm but with slightly rounded lips and a more centralized vowel in /ɪ/. Across accents, rhoticity has minimal impact here, since /r/ is not prominent in the word. The main differences focus on syllable timing and vowel quality in /ɪ/ and /eɪ/.
The difficulty lies in the quick transition from the clipped /ɪ/ in BRIF to the crisp /keɪs/ diphthong, with precise articulation of /f/ followed by /k/ and /eɪ/. The space between syllables is narrow in fast speech, risking blending into /brɪf.keɪs/ or misplacing the stress. Additionally, the /ɪ/ vs /iː/ distinction can be challenging for non-native speakers whose native languages don’t have a similar short-vowel split. Mastery comes from targeted practice of the BRIF-CASE sequence and careful lip-tension control to avoid vowel mergers.
A unique aspect is the two-part syllable boundary and the slight pause or light transition between BRIF and CASE in speech, which can alter perceived rhythm. Some speakers emphasize BRIF so that the second syllable carries less emphasis, creating a natural, business-like cadence. This is not a hard rule but a common pattern in careful, professional speech when clarity is essential. Paying attention to the boundary helps prevent syllabic blending and preserves intelligibility.
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The word briefcase originates from two components of the English language: brief and case. Brief, from Old French bref, later Latin brevis, implies something short or concise; in English, it began to signal a concise summary or a short document, especially in legal contexts. Case, from Latin casus via Old French casse, refers to a container or a container-like object. The compound suggests a sturdy case designed to carry briefs—legal documents or reports. The earliest uses of “briefcase” appear in 19th-century English, reflecting the rise of professional offices and the need for portable document transport. Over time, the term broadened from strictly legal briefs to include laptops and modern documents, while maintaining the same sense of a formal, protective container. The evolution mirrors changes in work culture—from paper-dominated to digital—and the briefcase’s design adapted with padding, forms, and materials to protect electronics. Although once named for legal briefs, today it is a general term for a professional transport container. The phrase solidified in business lexicon by mid-20th century, aligning with industrial packaging advances and the global professional attire. The term’s usage now extends beyond law to any executive or office worker seeking a polished means to carry essential documents and devices.
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Words that rhyme with "briefcase"
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