Capitalize Meaning
/ˈkæpətəˌlaɪz/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbIn writing or editing, to write (something: either an entire word or text, or just the initial letter(s) thereof) in capital letters, in upper case.
verbTo contribute or acquire capital (money or other resources) for.
Sentence Examples
You must capitalize on the opportunity.
Be careful: We capitalize nationalities, days of the week, and languages in English.
CEFR Practice Quiz
She plans to ____ on the growing demand for organic food.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In English grammar, you must always ____ the first letter of a proper noun.
Word Origin & History
From capital + -ize, the first element ultimately from Latin capitālis (“of the head”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"To have any hope of success a new venture must be properly capitalized."
— 1990 April 7, 9, “Irish Gay Mag To Begin Publication”, in Gay Community News, page 9:
"In early morality plays, there appeared several vices representing some of the deadly sins, such as Covetousness, Lust, or Pride. Later plays, particularly those performed between 1560 and 1575, featured a single, composite character labelled as "the Vice" (Miyajima, 1977). The Vice, like the Devil, operated by capitalizing on observed human vulnerability."
— 1983, Wendy Griswold, “The Devil's Techniques: Cultural Legitimation and Social Change”, in American Sociological Review, volume 48, number 5, page 671a of 668–680:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
She plans to ____ on the growing demand for organic food.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In English grammar, you must always ____ the first letter of a proper noun.