noun
capo
KA-poh
Capo (noun) means a clamp placed across a guitar's fingerboard to raise the pitch of all the strings at once. Example: “He clipped a capo onto the second fret to match the singer's key.”
noun
1
A clamp placed across a guitar's fingerboard to raise the pitch of all the strings at once.
"He clipped a capo onto the second fret to match the singer's key."
2
A senior figure in an organized crime family.
"The film centers on a capo trying to move up the family ranks."
How to use capo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA guitar accessory that raises pitch, or a Mafia boss.
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Word forms
- Plural
- capos, capi
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He clipped a _____ onto the second fret to match the singer's key.
Etymology
Shortened from Italian capotasto ("head of fingerboard"); the crime-family sense comes from Italian capo ("head, boss").
Rhymes for capo
See all rhymes for capo →Frequently asked questions
What does “capo” mean?
The word “capo” means a clamp placed across a guitar's fingerboard to raise the pitch of all the strings at once. In plain terms, a guitar accessory that raises pitch, or a Mafia boss.
How do you pronounce “capo”?
“Capo” is pronounced KA-poh (/ˈkeɪpoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “capo” in a sentence?
Here is “capo” used in a sentence: “He clipped a capo onto the second fret to match the singer's key.”
What part of speech is “capo”?
“Capo” is a noun.
Where does the word “capo” come from?
The word “capo” comes from Italian. Shortened from Italian capotasto ("head of fingerboard"); the crime-family sense comes from Italian capo ("head, boss").
How many meanings does “capo” have?
“Capo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a clamp placed across a guitar's fingerboard to raise the pitch of all the strings at once.
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