caprice

[ kuh-prees ]

noun

1. a sudden, unpredictable change, as of one's mind or the weather.

   Synonyms: fancy, whim, notion, vagary

2. a tendency to change one's mind without apparent or adequate motive; whimsicality; capriciousness:

   With the caprice of a despotic king, he alternated between kindness and cruelty.

3. Music. capriccio ( def 1 ).

caprice

/ kəˈpriːs /

noun

1. a sudden or unpredictable change of attitude, behaviour, etc; whim
2. a tendency to such changes
3. See capriccio
   another word for capriccio

Word History and Origins

Origin of caprice¹

First recorded in 1660–70; from French, from Italian; capriccio

Word History and Origins

Origin of caprice¹

C17: from French, from Italian capriccio a shiver, caprice, from capo head + riccio hedgehog, suggesting a convulsive shudder in which the hair stood on end like a hedgehog's spines; meaning also influenced by Italian capra goat, by folk etymology

Example Sentences

It makes you realize how insignificant we humans are, how little our designs count compared with the caprices of nature.

From Washington Post

Men's probable actions are calculated by the law of reason; but their performance is usually the result of caprice.

From Project Gutenberg

He was an outlaw, hunted and despised, depending for his life on the caprice of a fickle-minded woman.

From Project Gutenberg

The entertainment upon such occasions, may vary with the taste of the hostess, or the caprice of her guests.

From Project Gutenberg

Now and then, from caprice, one was liberated; but the innocent and the guilty fell alike.

From Project Gutenberg

All this gave him hope, and he knew, that when caprice permitted, she would be unrivalled as a companion.

From Project Gutenberg