noun
capitalism
KAPIHT-lihzm
noun
1
An economic system in which businesses and resources are privately owned and run for profit, with prices largely set by supply and demand rather than the state.
"Under capitalism, competition between companies is meant to drive down prices."
"The debate over capitalism versus socialism has shaped politics for over a century."
How to Use Capitalism
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn economic system based on private ownership and profit, rather than state control.
Common pairings
free-market capitalism
critique of capitalism
Word Forms
capitalisms plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “capitalism”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Under _____, competition between companies is meant to drive down prices.
Etymology
From French capitalisme, built from "capital" plus "-ism." First used in English by novelist William Thackeray in the 1850s.
Rhymes for capitalism
realism
idealism
socialism
vandalism
liberalism
surrealism
journalism
materialism
cannibalism
nationalism
imperialism
colonialism
See all rhymes for capitalism →