capitalize

/ˈkæpədlˌaɪz/
/ˈkæpɪtəlaɪz/
IPA guide

Other forms: capitalized; capitalizing; capitalizes

To capitalize is to put something in capital letters, particularly the first letters, Like This. To capitalize also means to take advantage of a situation.

The first word of every sentence is capitalized, and to capitalize is to write in capital (or upper-case) letters. To capitalize also means to take advantage of an opportunity. Graduates try to capitalize on their degrees by getting well-paying jobs. A football team tries to capitalize on the other team’s mistakes, such as making a touchdown after an interception. It might help you to remember that capitalizing is a good thing if you know capital is also another word for money.

Definitions of capitalize
  1. verb
    write in capital letters
    synonyms: capitalise
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    type of:
    write
    mark or trace on a surface
  2. verb
    draw advantages from
    “he is capitalizing on her mistake”
    synonyms: capitalise, take advantage
    see moresee less
    type of:
    benefit, gain, profit
    derive a benefit from
  3. verb
    supply with capital, as of a business by using a combination of capital used by investors and debt capital provided by lenders
    synonyms: capitalise
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    type of:
    furnish, provide, render, supply
    give something useful or necessary to
  4. verb
    convert (a company's reserve funds) into capital
    synonyms: capitalise
    see moresee less
    types:
    overcapitalise, overcapitalize
    capitalize beyond what the business or the profit-making prospects warrant
    type of:
    change, commute, convert, exchange
    exchange or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category
  5. verb
    consider expenditures as capital assets rather than expenses
    synonyms: capitalise
    see moresee less
    type of:
    consider, reckon, regard, see, view
    deem to be
  6. verb
    compute the present value of a business or an income
    synonyms: capitalise
    see moresee less
    types:
    overcapitalise, overcapitalize
    estimate the capital value of (a company) at an unreasonably or unlawfully high level
    type of:
    calculate, cipher, compute, cypher, figure, reckon, work out
    make a mathematical calculation or computation
Pronunciation
US
/ˈkæpədlˌaɪz/
UK
/ˈkæpɪtəlaɪz/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘capitalize'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of gold-punch.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing capitalize

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Language and Grammar - Introductory

If you want to be a grammar guru, it's imperative that you capitalize on this list. Learn about punctuation, parts of speech, types of sentences, and more. This list is sure to help you develop superlative knowledge of language and grammar. Period.

NAEP Test Words

Words included in the 2009 and 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) tests of fourth, eighth, and twelfth grade vocabulary. Read about the test here.

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