capped

American  

[kapt] / kæpt /

adjective

1. provided with a covering of a specified kind, color, etc., at the very top, as if by a cap or hat (used in combination).

   The valley is ringed by snow-capped mountains.

   The black-capped vireo breeds in Oklahoma, Texas, and Mexico.

2. closed or sealed off with a lid or covering.

   Even a tightly capped jar of cinnamon will lose its potency after a while.

   A hive inspection last week revealed ten frames filled to the brim with capped honey and ready for harvest.

3. limited by or being a maximum allowable number, amount, value, etc..

   The program has a capped enrollment to ensure small class sizes and better mentorship opportunities.

   Could capped rent increases help to keep housing affordable?

4. Stock Exchange, Banking.

   1. (of a bank loan, investment, or fund) being, having, or involving a floating interest rate for which a maximum level has been set.

      If you’re worried about interest rates rising beyond your ability to pay, a fixed-rate or capped mortgage is the way to go.

   2. (of an equity index) calculated without allowing any one stock or security to be weighted above a certain percentage.

      A capped index is not skewed by the activity of very large companies.

5. (of a landfill site) covered over with layers of clay, asphalt, or other impenetrable materials in order to isolate contaminants and keep them from leaching into the groundwater with rain.

   Building a renewable energy project on top of a capped landfill is an intricate undertaking.

6. Chiefly British, Sports. (of a player) having played in an international game or match as part of a national team.

   We reproduce here our interview with the most capped rugby player of all time.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of cap.

Etymology

Origin of capped

First recorded in 1610–20; cap ¹ ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

For a period he was the most capped Scottish player of all time, something he may have reminded his sibling of on occasion.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

Starting on July 1, 2026, federal parent loans will be capped at $20,000 a year, with a lifetime maximum of $65,000 per student.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

Martyn, capped 23 times by the Three Lions in football, has forced his way into the reckoning for the England Over-60s cricket team after returning to a sport he has always loved.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

There’s a rebate program available to people who repair their own sidewalks, but it’s capped at an amount that doesn’t always cover the costs.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026

“Well, it doesn’t pour out like water. It’s more gooey, like sunblock, so you’ve really gotta squeeze,” Shelly said, demonstrating on a capped container.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen

Related Words

• camouflaged
• closed
• coated
• concealed
• enclosed
• hidden
• painted
• protected
• shielded
• topped
• wrapped