capital
1Definition of capital
OTHER WORDS FOR capital
Origin of capital
1synonym study for capital
words often confused with capital
OTHER WORDS FROM capital
cap·i·tal·ness, nounWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH capital
capital , Capitol (see confusables note at the current entry)Words nearby capital
Other definitions for capital (2 of 2)
Origin of capital
2MORE ABOUT CAPITAL
What does capital mean?
A capital is a city or town that acts as the center of a government, such as a city’s or nation’s government, as in Washington, DC, is the capital of the United States.
More casually, a city or town might be a capital of some special importance. For example, New York City is sometimes called the “business capital of the world,” but Albany is the official state capital of New York.
In business and finance, capital is wealth owned by a person or company. Your capital can include the money you have in the bank, property you own, and any stocks or bonds you’ve purchased.
Capital can also describe something very important or first-rate, as in We had so much fun at the fair, that it was a capital day.
Example: The bill was supported by Congressional representatives from 13 states and the capital.
Where does capital come from?
The first records of the term capital come from around 1175. It ultimately comes from the Medieval Latin capitālis, meaning “wealth.” Capital has several other uses besides describing a nation’s seat of government, most of which stem from wealth and importance, although the capital of a nation tends to have quite a bit of wealth in the sense that it collects taxes.
Your financial capital can be used to spend, provide, and invest in the furthering of one’s wealth, normally in the form of stock market investments or investing into new means of production or projects to improve profits, bringing in more capital. While the terms wealth and capital are synonymous, you’ll find that wealth is used to describe a personal profit, while capital is used to describe funds that are set aside for investing. Capital can also be used in this way to describe something beyond money, such as political power.
In the sense of prominent or important, capital can also describe the most serious crimes, including murder and treason. Someone found guilting of a capital crime would receive capital punishment, that is, the death penalty. Related to this sense, a capital error would be one that is fatal or otherwise extremely serious.
Did you know … ?
What are some other forms related to capital?
- capitalness (noun)
- capitalism (noun)
- capitalize (verb)
What are some synonyms for capital?
What are some words that share a root or word element with capital?
What are some words that often get used in discussing capital?
What are some words capital may be commonly confused with?
How is capital used in real life?
Capital is frequently used to describe a city where a government is centered. It’s also used frequently in the business sense of wealth.
BREAKING: United States vetoes UN resolution that would have required Trump to rescind declaration of Jerusalem as Israel capital.
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 18, 2017
Password must contain capital letter, a number, an emotional arc, a centralized theme, a male lead "struggling w/inner demons" & a strong female character.
— Eden Dranger (@Eden_Eats) July 10, 2020
There are no shortcuts on the path to sound/vibrant relationships. The investment capital required is time. PERIOD.
— Tom Peters (@tom_peters) December 5, 2016
Try using capital!
Which of the following is NOT a synonym for capital?
A. cash
B. invoice
C. stocks
D. property
How to use capital in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for capital (1 of 2)
Word Origin for capital
British Dictionary definitions for capital (2 of 2)
Word Origin for capital
Cultural definitions for capital (1 of 2)
In architecture, the top portion of a column.
notes for capital
Cultural definitions for capital (2 of 2)
Money used to finance the purchase of the means of production, such as machines, or the machines themselves.
Other Idioms and Phrases with capital
see make capital out of.