caper

1
[ key-per ]
See synonyms for: capercaperedcapers on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
  1. to leap or skip about in a sprightly manner; prance; frisk; gambol.

noun
  1. a playful leap or skip.

  2. a prank or trick; harebrained escapade.

  1. a frivolous, carefree episode or activity.

  2. Slang. a criminal or illegal act, as a burglary or robbery.

Idioms about caper

  1. cut a caper. cut (def. 87).

Origin of caper

1
First recorded in 1585–95; probably shortening and alteration of capriole

Other words for caper

Other words from caper

  • ca·per·er, noun
  • ca·per·ing·ly, adverb
  • un·ca·per·ing, adjective

Other definitions for caper (2 of 2)

caper2
[ key-per ]

noun
  1. a spiny shrub, Capparis spinosa, of Mediterranean regions, having roundish leaves and solitary white flowers.

  2. its flower bud, which is pickled and used for garnish or seasoning.

Origin of caper

2
1350–1400; back formation from capers (taken for plural), Middle English caperes<Latin capparis<Greek kápparis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use caper in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for caper (1 of 2)

caper1

/ (ˈkeɪpə) /


noun
  1. a playful skip or leap

  2. a high-spirited escapade

  1. cut a caper or cut capers

    • to skip or jump playfully

    • to act or behave playfully; frolic

  2. slang a crime, esp an organized robbery

  3. Australian informal a job or occupation

  4. Australian informal a person's behaviour

verb
  1. (intr) to leap or dance about in a light-hearted manner

Origin of caper

1
C16: probably from capriole

Derived forms of caper

  • caperer, noun
  • caperingly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for caper (2 of 2)

caper2

/ (ˈkeɪpə) /


noun
  1. a spiny trailing Mediterranean capparidaceous shrub, Capparis spinosa, with edible flower buds

  2. any of various similar plants or their edible parts: See also bean caper, capers

Origin of caper

2
C15: from earlier capers, capres (assumed to be plural), from Latin capparis, from Greek kapparis

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012