capitalist

American  

[kap-i-tl-ist] / ˈkæp ɪ tl ɪst /

noun

1. a person who has capital, especially extensive capital, invested in business enterprises.

2. an advocate of capitalism.

3. a very wealthy person.

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capitalist British  

/ ˈkæpɪtəlɪst /

noun

1. a person who owns capital, esp capital invested in a business

2. politics a supporter of capitalism

3. informal a rich person

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adjective

1. of or relating to capital, capitalists, or capitalism

Other Word Forms

• anticapitalist noun
• capitalistic adjective
• noncapitalist noun
• precapitalist noun
• procapitalist noun

Etymology

Origin of capitalist

First recorded in 1785–95; capital ¹ + -ist

Example Sentences

For years, American venture capitalists invested heavily in Chinese startups, even as Chinese firms invested in young technology companies abroad.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We really believe that this is an opportunity for Venezuela to return back into the capitalist fold,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

With Venezuela saddled with about $160 billion in outstanding national debts, she also put a high priority on reintegrating into the global capitalist order that her government had long shunned.

From The Wall Street Journal

The proposed tax has reverberated throughout the Silicon Valley and Bay Area, home to some of the world’s most lucrative tech companies and financially successful venture capitalists.

From Los Angeles Times

The vast list of subject-area experts Mercor seeks includes astronomers, psychologists, industrial engineers, filmmakers, creative writers, comedians, legal experts, investment bankers and venture capitalists.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• banker
• entrepreneur
• financier