adj
capricious
kuh-PRIH-shuhs
Capricious (adj) means changing mood or behavior suddenly and unpredictably, without an obvious reason. Example: “The capricious weather made it impossible to plan the picnic.”
adj
1
Changing mood or behavior suddenly and unpredictably, without an obvious reason.
"The capricious weather made it impossible to plan the picnic."
"Their capricious boss changed the rules every week."
How to use capricious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUnpredictable and prone to sudden changes of mind.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
capricious behavior
capricious weather
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more capricious
- Superlative
- most capricious
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ weather made it impossible to plan the picnic.
Etymology
From Italian capriccioso, from capriccio ("caprice, sudden fright").
Related words
Rhymes for capricious
See all rhymes for capricious →Frequently asked questions
What does “capricious” mean?
The word “capricious” means changing mood or behavior suddenly and unpredictably, without an obvious reason. In plain terms, unpredictable and prone to sudden changes of mind.
How do you pronounce “capricious”?
“Capricious” is pronounced kuh-PRIH-shuhs (/kəˈpɹɪʃəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “capricious” in a sentence?
Here is “capricious” used in a sentence: “The capricious weather made it impossible to plan the picnic.”
What part of speech is “capricious”?
“Capricious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “capricious” come from?
The word “capricious” comes from Italian. From Italian capriccioso, from capriccio ("caprice, sudden fright").
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