capricious
Americanadjective
Synonym Usage
See fickle.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of capricious
First recorded in 1585–95; from French capricieux, from Italian capriccioso capriccioso
Explanation
Capricious is an adjective to describe a person or thing that's impulsive and unpredictable, like a bride who suddenly leaves her groom standing at the wedding altar. You can criticize a fickle-minded person as capricious, but it could just as well describe quickly changing weather, as in "capricious spring storms." It's the adjective form of the noun caprice, which means a sudden change of mood. Caprice might come from capra, the Italian word for "goat" (because goats are frisky), or from capo, "head" + riccio, "hedgehog." Why bring hedgehogs into it? If you have a "hedgehog head," you are so scared that your hair is standing straight on end. A scared person makes sudden starts this way and that, just as a capricious person does.
Vocabulary lists containing capricious
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"USCIS's actions are contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious."
From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026
The appellate court noted that Draper made “extreme and bizarre comments” at a post-trial motions hearing and, during the trial, issued “arbitrary and capricious evidentiary rulings.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026
There are many cases, in the arbitrary, capricious death penalty system, where clemency is appropriate.
From Slate • Mar. 6, 2026
There’s also a First Amendment claim, and an Administrative Procedure Act claim, which is that the government is acting illegally in an arbitrary and capricious way.
From Salon • Jan. 28, 2026
Of course which of these she is at any particular moment would not be random or capricious — it would depend on who she is with, when, how, and much, much more.
From "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
