noun
Common
capitalist
KAP-ih-tuh-lihst
Capitalist (noun) means a person who owns or invests significant wealth in businesses to earn a profit. Example: “A wealthy capitalist bought the failing factory and hired more staff.”
noun
1
A person who owns or invests significant wealth in businesses to earn a profit.
"A wealthy capitalist bought the failing factory and hired more staff."
"She became a capitalist after investing in several small shops."
"The documentary profiled several early Silicon Valley capitalists."
adj
1
Relating to or supporting capitalism.
"Many economists debate the strengths of the capitalist system."
"Her book explains how capitalist markets set prices through supply and demand."
"The country shifted from a state-run to a capitalist economy in the 1990s."
"Well, I thank you for your question, but I have to say we're capitalist—and that is just the way it is. However, we do think that capitalism is not necessarily meeting the needs with the income inequality that we have in our country."
— CNN Town Hall, spoken by Nancy Pelosi (2017)
How to use capitalist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who invests capital for profit, or an adjective describing a profit-driven economic system.
Common pairings
capitalist economy
venture capitalist
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Word forms
- Plural
- capitalists
- Comparative
- more capitalist
- Superlative
- most capitalist
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A wealthy _____ bought the failing factory and hired more staff.
Etymology
From "capital" plus "-ist," on the model of French capitaliste.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for capitalist
realist
vocalist
idealist
finalist
loyalist
medalist
socialist
herbalist
mentalist
journalist
specialist
naturalist
See all rhymes for capitalist →
Frequently asked questions
What does “capitalist” mean?
The word “capitalist” means a person who owns or invests significant wealth in businesses to earn a profit. In plain terms, someone who invests capital for profit, or an adjective describing a profit-driven economic system.
How do you pronounce “capitalist”?
“Capitalist” is pronounced KAP-ih-tuh-lihst (/ˈkæp.ɪ.tə.lɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “capitalist” in a sentence?
Here is “capitalist” used in a sentence: “The documentary profiled several early Silicon Valley capitalists.”
What is another word for “capitalist”?
Words with a similar meaning to “capitalist” include capitalistic.
What is the opposite of “capitalist”?
The opposite of “capitalist” — its antonyms — are anticapitalist, communist, socialist and anti-capitalist.
What part of speech is “capitalist”?
Depending on how it is used, “capitalist” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “capitalist” come from?
The word “capitalist” comes from French. From "capital" plus "-ist," on the model of French capitaliste.
Is “capitalist” a common word?
“Capitalist” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a capitalist and an entrepreneur?
A capitalist is a person who owns or invests significant wealth in businesses to earn a profit, focusing on capital ownership and investment. An entrepreneur is someone who starts and runs a business venture, often with less emphasis on owning large amounts of capital.
What is the difference between capitalist as a noun and as an adjective?
As a noun, capitalist refers to a person who owns or invests significant wealth in businesses to earn a profit. As an adjective, capitalist describes something relating to or supporting capitalism, such as a capitalist economy.
Is capitalist the same as capitalistic?
Capitalist and capitalistic can both function as adjectives meaning relating to or supporting capitalism, and they are used interchangeably in this sense. Capitalist, unlike capitalistic, is also commonly used as a noun to describe a person.
