easy
The capricious ruler in the story changed the contest rules whenever the mood struck.
What does Capricious mean?
Capricious means changing unexpectedly or acting on sudden whims, so others find it hard to predict what will happen.
Dictionary definition
Changing choices or behaviour suddenly and unpredictably, often because of a whim rather than a clear reason. More broadly, it describes erratic changes in things such as wind. In US legal writing, capricious can describe an action lacking a reasoned basis in the relevant facts.
Example sentences
Capricious in a sentence
medium
A capricious wind kept turning the kite in a new direction.
medium
Her capricious preferences changed from blue to gold and back again within minutes.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Capricious
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
Which change is most clearly capricious?
The ruler acts on passing whims. The other changes have stated practical reasons.
Practice 2
Which word fits capricious wind in a literary description?
Erratic describes irregular, unpredictable behaviour; wind does not have human loyalties or intentions.
Practice 3
Choose the adverb: The ruler altered the rules ___.
Capriciously describes how the rules were changed. Capriciousness and caprice are nouns.
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Capricious
Voice settings
Sounds like
kuh · prish · us · strongest beat: prish
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordCapricious.
Partadjective.
MeaningCapricious means changing unexpectedly or acting on sudden whims, so others find it hard to predict what will happen.
ExampleExample: The capricious ruler in the story changed the contest rules whenever the mood struck.
Word breakdown
3 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- kuh · prish · us
- Strongest beat
- prish
- Ending
- us
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on prish.
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Synonyms
Words like Capricious
fickleUse for preferences or loyalties that change unpredictably.
erraticUse for movement or behaviour that changes irregularly and is hard to predict.
Antonyms
Opposite words
consistentUse for choices or behaviour that follow a steady pattern instead of unpredictable whims.
Synonym practice
Word family
Capricious word family
Base word
capricious
adverb
capriciously
In a way guided by sudden whims or unpredictable changes.
noun
capriciousness
The quality of being changeable or guided by whims.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Capricious
Hint for students
Say kuh-PRISH-us; kuh-PREE-shus is also used, especially in American English. Capricious often describes changing preferences; wind can be capricious in literary writing.
Common mix-up
Changing your mind after receiving new evidence is not automatically capricious. The word suggests unpredictability or whim; describing wind this way does not give it human intentions.
Try it in class or at home
Students invent three reasons for changing a club decision, including one passing whim. Choose the capricious change and rewrite it as a consistent policy supported by a stated reason.
Teacher prompt
Read: The capricious ruler changed the contest rules whenever the mood struck. Compare this with changing rules after discovering an error. Which change has a stated reason?
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