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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 notes

In plain EnglishA guitar accessory that raises pitch, or a Mafia boss.

Word forms

capos plural, capos plural, capi plural

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Test yourself on “capo” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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").

Origin: Italian

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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