capacity
gb/kəpˈæsɪti/ us/kəpˈæsɪti/
B1
English
~ 1600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
quantity
1
maximum amount something holds
The largest amount that something can hold or make.
Usage pattern:
[something] has a capacity of [amount]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'capacity' with 'capability'; 'capacity' is about how much something can hold, 'capability' is about what it can do.
Synonyms
volume (Refers to the space inside an object, usually for liquids or gases.)
|
size (General term for how big something is, not always about holding things.)
Antonyms
emptiness (A state of having nothing inside, opposite of holding a maximum amount.)
Collocations
storage capacity
|seating capacity
|full capacity
|maximum capacity
|production capacity
Themes
measurement
|engineering
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|science
Examples
- The stadium has a seating capacity of 50,000 people.
- This bottle's capacity is two liters.
- The factory is operating at full capacity.
- The elevator has a maximum capacity of 10 people.
- We need to increase the storage capacity of our servers.
Learner examples
- The bus has a capacity of 40 seats.
- This cup has a capacity of 200 milliliters.
- The hotel can take 300 guests at full capacity.
Noun
B2
property
2
ability to do something
The ability to do something or understand it.
Usage pattern:
capacity to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'capacity' instead of 'role' when talking about jobs. For example, 'I work in the capacity of teacher' is correct in formal contexts but uncommon in casual speech.
Synonyms
capability (Often interchangeable, but 'capability' can imply potential rather than current ability.)
|
competence (Emphasizes skill and adequacy in doing something.)
Antonyms
inability (Lack of power or means to do something.)
Collocations
mental capacity
|capacity for learning
|emotional capacity
|capacity to work
Themes
personal development
|psychology
|core_vocabulary
|education
Examples
- She has the capacity to become a great leader.
- His mental capacity has been reduced after the accident.
- We all have the capacity for kindness.
- The project requires someone with the capacity to work under pressure.
Learner examples
- He has the capacity to learn fast.
- She has the capacity to help many people.
- I have no capacity to carry more bags.
Noun
B2
entity
3
official role or position
A job or role that someone has in a group or company.
Usage pattern:
in my/your/his/her capacity as [role]
Synonyms
role (More common in everyday speech; less formal than 'capacity'.)
|
position (Refers specifically to someone's job title or status.)
Antonyms
unofficial role (Doing something without holding an official position.)
Collocations
in his capacity as manager
|serve in a capacity
|official capacity
Themes
business
|law
|work
Examples
- She attended the meeting in her capacity as company director.
- In his official capacity, he cannot comment on the case.
- They acted in their capacity as advisors.
Learner examples
- He speaks in his capacity as mayor.
- She works in her capacity as teacher.
- I help in my capacity as volunteer.
Grammar
Dictionary form
capacity
IPA
GB/kəpˈæsɪti/
US/kəpˈæsɪti/
Syllables & stress
ca - pa - city (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pa)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: capacity
- Plural: capacities
Word family
Forms
capacities
noun
Core family
capable
adjective B1
capability
noun B1
Related words
capably
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
incapable
adjective B1
incapacity
noun
Advanced or less common
incapacitate
verb
Expressions
at full capacity
1/ˈæt fˈʊl kəpˈæsɪti/
fixed phrase
working at maximum level
Working or being used as much as possible, with no extra space or ability left.
Examples
- The factory is running at full capacity this month.
- The hospital was operating at full capacity during the outbreak.
capacity building
1/kəpˈæsɪti bˈɪldɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
developing skills and abilities
Helping people or organizations get better skills and abilities so they can work better in the future.
Examples
- The NGO focuses on capacity building in rural communities.
- Capacity building is essential for sustainable development.
capacity building
1/kəpˈæsɪti bˈɪldɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
developing skills and resources
helping people or organizations gain the skills and resources they need.
Examples
- The grant focuses on capacity building for local health workers.
- Capacity building takes time and cannot be done in a single training session.
- The project included capacity building in financial management.
in the capacity of
1/ˈɪn ðə kəpˈæsɪti əv/
fixed phrase
formal
acting in an official role
Doing something as part of your job or official role.
Examples
- He signed the agreement in the capacity of company secretary.
- She visited the school in the capacity of inspector.