# case history

CEFR C1 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/case-history
Updated: 2026-08-05

## Definition

a record of a person's past, especially their medical or social background, used to help treat or understand them.

For teachers: a detailed record of the background and relevant past experiences of a person or group under medical, psychiatric, or social investigation.

## Examples

- The doctor studied the patient's case history before the surgery.
- To provide the right support, the social worker needed to compile a full case history of the family's situation.
- The researcher meticulously documented each subject's case history to identify recurring patterns in the development of the rare condition.

## Usage notes

- commonly used in medical, legal, and social work contexts.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'medical records'; a case history is often a narrative summary of a specific problem's development rather than just a list of appointments.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.