English vocabulary · C1
Capricious
/kəˈprɪʃəs/ · adj.
A capricious person changes their mind for no clear reason. What they want can change fast, so others never know what to expect.
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Example sentences
- My capricious boss changed plans.
- We sailed through capricious winds.
Word origin and roots
from Italian
- capriccio — sudden wish (from Italian)
Synonyms and nuances
- FICKLE — often changing your choice (Not staying with one choice)
- FLIGHTY — changing plans without thought (Quick to follow new wishes)
- CHANGEABLE — likely to become different (Not staying the same)
Similar words
- fickle
- flighty
- changeable
- unpredictable
- whimsical
Lesson notes
A capricious person changes their mind for no clear reason. What they want can change fast, so others never know what to expect.
Related: fickle, flighty, changeable. Use capricious when wishes change.
My capricious boss changed plans. We sailed through capricious winds.
From Italian. Capriccio- means sudden wish. One new sudden wish turns a yes to no: that is capricious.