Capricorn
Americannoun
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Capricorns
plural
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Astronomy. the Goat, a zodiacal constellation between Sagittarius and Aquarius.
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Astrology.
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the tenth sign of the zodiac: the cardinal earth sign.
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a person born under this sign, usually between December 22nd and January 19th.
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tropic of Capricorn. tropic1a
noun
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astrology
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Also called: the Goat. Capricornus. the tenth sign of the zodiac, symbol ♑, having a cardinal earth classification and ruled by the planet Saturn. The sun is in this sign between about Dec 22 and Jan 19
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a person born during the period when the sun is in this sign
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astronomy another name for Capricornus
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See tropic
adjective
Usage
What does Capricorn mean? Capricorn is the name of a constellation that is interpreted as resembling a goat. It is also called The Goat. A constellation is a group of stars that appear near each other in the sky—especially a group that has been given a name. Capricorn is considered one of the 12 zodiacal constellations—constellations that appear within a particular portion of the sky called the zodiac. In astronomy, the zodiac is the band of sky along which the paths of the sun, the moon, and the planets appear to move. Despite its basis in astronomy, the word zodiac is mainly associated with and most often used in the context of astrology, the nonscientific practice in which the positions of heavenly bodies at certain times are thought to influence or be correlated with human behavior and events. In astrology, zodiac refers to a diagram (often a circular one) representing the zodiac belt and showing the symbols associated with each of the 12 constellations or sections, which are called the signs of the zodiac. Capricorn is one of these signs. It is situated between Sagittarius and Aquarius and is considered the tenth sign of the zodiac. The other signs of the zodiac are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, and Pisces. The position of the sun in a particular portion of the zodiac at the moment of a person’s birth is thought to correlate with their personality. This is what people are referring to when they talk about their zodiac sign (or star sign or often just sign). People whose sign is Capricorn are those born between December 22 and January 19. The word Capricorn can be used as a noun to refer to someone who is born during this time, as in I was born in early January, so I’m a Capricorn. The word Capricornian can be used to mean the same thing. It can also be used as an adjective form of Capricorn. Example: Dara is such a Capricorn—she’s so confident and creative.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of Capricorn
1350–1400; Middle English Capricorne < Latin Capricornus (translation of Greek aigókerōs goat-horned), equivalent to capri- capri- + corn ( u ) horn + -us adj. suffix
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.
See Examples For:
Ahead of the open, Capricorn Metals said it was aspiring to produce 500,000 oz of gold annually within the next five years.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
Women who participated in the series include alleged victim Aubrey O’Day, a star of Combs’s “Making the Band” reality show, and Capricorn Clark, a former right hand to Combs in his Bad Boy camp.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 14, 2025
Parton also noted that their zodiac signs were compatible: She’s a Capricorn and he was a Cancer.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2025
When the trial resumes on Tuesday next week, the jury is expected to hear from Capricorn Clark, the woman who called Mr Mescudi when Combs was allegedly breaking into his home.
From BBC ● May 22, 2025
“You have no idea how Capricorn longs to hear your voice. He's got great faith in your abilities, Capricorn has.”
From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke
We talked over Zoom about working-class love stories, doing voice-over work, acting in Marxist films and being Capricorns.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2025
We could go back to talking about Capricorns.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 19, 2024
“Saturn is the planet of Capricorns, and it’s also the planet of melancholy and nostalgia,” said Alejandro, who is a Capricorn himself.
From New York Times ● Nov. 14, 2022
But being Capricorns, we’re bold, and in my work I am able to show that because I am such a shy person.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 21, 2022
All those operated upon, Capricorns, sacred beetles, ground beetles, die in convulsions.
From The Life of the fly; with which are interspersed some chapters of autobiography by Alexander Teixeira de Mattos
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.
