cap
gb/kˈæp/ us/kˈæp/
A1
English
~ 3100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
A type of head covering
A soft hat that fits closely to your head.
Usage pattern:
wear [a cap]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'cap' with 'hat'; while all caps are hats, not all hats are caps.
Synonyms
hat (More general term for any head covering; 'cap' is a specific type.)
Antonyms
bareheaded (Describes someone not wearing anything on their head.)
Collocations
baseball cap
|wool cap
|wear a cap
|put on a cap
|cap and gown
Themes
clothing
|daily life
|sports
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He wore a baseball cap to keep the sun out of his eyes.
- She pulled her wool cap down over her ears.
- The graduates all wore caps and gowns during the ceremony.
- I forgot my cap at home and had to borrow one.
- The shop sells caps in many different colors.
Learner examples
- I have a blue cap.
- He is wearing a red cap.
- She puts on her cap before going outside.
- My friend likes to wear a cap every day.
Noun
B1
entity
2
A set maximum amount or limit
The highest amount allowed.
Usage pattern:
set a cap on [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'cap' with 'ceiling'; while similar, 'cap' often implies an official or enforced limit.
Synonyms
limit (General term for a point beyond which something cannot go; 'cap' often refers to an official restriction.)
Antonyms
minimum (The lowest allowable level, opposite of a maximum.)
Collocations
price cap
|spending cap
|salary cap
|cap on emissions
Themes
business
|law
|economics
Examples
- The government has set a cap on rent increases.
- There is a salary cap for players in the league.
- They introduced a cap on carbon emissions.
- The spending cap will help control the budget.
- A price cap was imposed to protect consumers.
Learner examples
- There is a cap on the number of people in the room.
- The school has a cap on class size.
- The city put a cap on building heights.
Verb
A2
action
3
To place a cover or lid on something
To close something by putting a cover on it.
Usage pattern:
cap [something]
Synonyms
cover (More general; 'cap' often refers to a fitted lid.)
Antonyms
uncap (To remove the cap from something.)
Collocations
cap a bottle
|cap a pen
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Please remember to cap the pen after you use it.
- She capped the bottle tightly before putting it in her bag.
- He capped the jar to keep the contents fresh.
Learner examples
- I cap my pen when I finish writing.
- Please cap the bottle of water.
- She caps the jar after using it.
Verb
B2
action
4
To complete something with a final act or detail
To end something in a special or successful way.
Usage pattern:
cap [something] with [something]
Synonyms
conclude (Focuses on ending; 'cap' emphasizes an impressive or fitting conclusion.)
Antonyms
spoil (To ruin instead of finishing well.)
Collocations
cap the evening with dessert
|capped his career with a victory
Themes
communication
|daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She capped her speech with a funny story.
- They capped the night with fireworks.
- He capped his career with a world championship.
Learner examples
- We capped the day with ice cream.
- He capped his trip with a visit to the beach.
- They capped the party with music.
Noun
technical
A2
entity
5
Protective cover for an end or opening
A small cover that closes or protects the end of something.
Synonyms
lid ('Lid' is more general; 'cap' often fits tightly over an opening.)
Antonyms
opening (The uncovered state of an object.)
Collocations
pen cap
|lens cap
Themes
tools
|packaging
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The pen's cap was missing.
- Always replace the lens cap after taking photos.
- He lost the cap for the toothpaste tube.
Learner examples
- I put the cap on my pen.
- She lost the cap of her marker.
- Please take off the lens cap before you take pictures.
Grammar
Dictionary form
cap
IPA
GB/kˈæp/
US/kˈæp/
Syllables & stress
cap (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (cap)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: cap
- Plural: caps
Verb
- Base: cap
- 3rd Person Singular: caps
- Present Participle: capping
- Past: capped
Word family
Forms
caps
noun
capping
verb
capped
verb
Related words
capful
noun
Negative and opposite forms
uncap
verb
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: capping Verb
- Irregular past: capped Verb
Expressions
cap off
1/kˈæp ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
Finish something in a satisfying way
To end something in a good or special way.
Examples
- We capped off our vacation with a fancy dinner.
- He capped off the project by presenting it to the board.
lens cap
1/lˈɛnz kˈæp/
fixed phrase
Cover for camera lens opening
A small cover that protects the glass part of a camera when not in use.
Examples
- Don't forget to remove the lens cap before shooting.
- He lost his lens cap during the trip.
put a cap on
1/pˈʊt ə kˈæp ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
Set an upper limit on something
To decide the highest amount that is allowed for something.
Examples
- The committee voted to put a cap on campaign spending.
- They put a cap on the number of visitors each day.
salary cap
1/sˈælɚi kˈæp/
fixed phrase
Maximum salary allowed in sports/business context
The highest pay that players or workers can get in a team or company.
Examples
- The league introduced a new salary cap this season.
- Teams must operate within the salary cap rules.