capital

cap-i-tal · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The city that serves as the seat of government of a country or region.

  2. 2.

    Involving or punishable by death.

  3. 3.

    Money or assets used to generate income or invest in a business.

  4. 4.

    (Informal, dated) Excellent; first-rate.

  5. 5.

    An uppercase letter.

  6. 6.

    The top part of a column or pillar.

Forms

plural: capitals

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    capital gains — profits from investments
  • •
    capital punishment — the death penalty
  • •
    make capital of — to exploit for advantage
  • •
    human capital — people's skills and knowledge

Related words

Antonyms: lowercase
See also: capitalism, capitol, city
Synonyms: assets, funds, uppercase

Etymology

From Latin capitalis meaning "of the head, chief," from caput meaning "head."