capital
KA-pih-tuhl
Capital (noun) means the city where a country's or region's government is based. Example: “Paris is the capital of France.”
noun
1
The city where a country's or region's government is based.
"Paris is the capital of France."
"We took a train to the capital to visit the national museum."
"Many people think the biggest city is the capital, but that is not always true."
2
Money or assets used to start or grow a business.
"The startup raised a million dollars in capital from investors."
"She needed more capital before she could open her second bakery."
"Without enough capital, the small firm could not buy new equipment."
3
An uppercase letter.
"Remember to start each sentence with a capital."
"Write your name in capitals at the top of the form."
"Names of countries always begin with a capital in English."
adj
1
Of the greatest importance; chief.
"Choosing the right location was a capital decision for the business."
"It is of capital importance that everyone arrives on time."
"The committee saw safety as a capital concern for the whole project."
2
Punishable by death.
"Treason was once considered a capital offence."
"In the novel, the character is tried for a capital crime."
"Some countries have abolished capital punishment for all crimes."
How to use capital
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA country's main city, money used to fund a business, or an uppercase letter — depending on context.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "capitol," the building where a legislature meets — "capital" is the city or the money.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
capital city
raise capital
capital letter
capital punishment
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Word forms
- Plural
- capitals
Fill the gap
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Paris is the _____ of France.
Etymology
From Latin capitalis ("of the head"), from caput ("head"). The financial sense grew out of medieval trade in "heads" of cattle — property was literally counted in animal heads.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for capital
See all rhymes for capital →Frequently asked questions
What does “capital” mean?
The word “capital” means the city where a country's or region's government is based. In plain terms, a country's main city, money used to fund a business, or an uppercase letter — depending on context.
How do you pronounce “capital”?
“Capital” is pronounced KA-pih-tuhl (/ˈkæpɪtəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “capital” in a sentence?
Here is “capital” used in a sentence: “Paris is the capital of France.”
What part of speech is “capital”?
Depending on how it is used, “capital” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “capital” come from?
The word “capital” comes from Latin. From Latin capitalis ("of the head"), from caput ("head"). The financial sense grew out of medieval trade in "heads" of cattle — property was literally counted in animal heads.
Is “capital” a common word?
“Capital” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “capital” have?
“Capital” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the city where a country's or region's government is based.
What is the difference between capital and capitol?
A capital is the city where a government is based, such as London or Tokyo. A capitol, spelled with an 'o', is a specific building, especially the one housing a legislature, like the United States Capitol. Remember that the domed building has an 'o', matching its round shape.
What are the different meanings of capital?
'Capital' has several meanings. It can be the city where a government sits, the wealth or money used to run a business, or an uppercase letter such as A or B. It also describes something excellent, as in 'a capital idea'. Context shows which sense is intended.
What is an example of a capital city?
Paris is the capital of France, Washington is the capital of the United States, and Canberra is the capital of Australia. A capital is not always the largest city; Canberra, for instance, is smaller than Sydney. What defines it is that the national government is based there.
Does every country have a capital?
Almost every country designates a capital as the seat of its government. Some have more than one official capital for different branches, as South Africa does. A few relocate their capital over time, and in many cases the largest city and the capital differ. The capital is where governing institutions are located.
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