English

capitalism

gb/kˈæpɪtəlˌɪzəm/ us/kˈæpɪtəlˌɪzəm/
B2 English
~ 4200
Senses
0 senses
Noun B2 entity
1

Economic system with private ownership

A system where businesses and property are owned by people or companies, not by the government, and goods are made for profit.

Usage pattern: [something] is based on capitalism
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'capitalism' with 'capital', but 'capital' usually means money or assets, not the system itself.
Synonyms
free-market system (Highlights the role of supply and demand without government control.) | market economy (More general term for economies driven by market forces, not necessarily ideological.)
Antonyms
socialism (Economic system where production is owned or regulated by the community or state.) | communism (System where all property is publicly owned and each person works for communal benefit.)
Collocations
free-market capitalism |global capitalism |capitalism and democracy |capitalism vs socialism |under capitalism
Themes
economics |politics |business |finance
Examples
  • Capitalism encourages competition between businesses to provide better goods and services.
  • Some people believe that capitalism leads to innovation, while others think it increases inequality.
  • Under capitalism, prices are often set by supply and demand rather than by the government.
  • Global capitalism has connected markets around the world.
  • Critics argue that unchecked capitalism can harm the environment.
Learner examples
  • Capitalism means people can own businesses.
  • In capitalism, companies try to make money.
  • Capitalism lets people sell things for a profit.
  • Many countries use capitalism today.
  • Capitalism can make some people rich.
Grammar
Dictionary form
capitalism
IPA
GB/kˈæpɪtəlˌɪzəm/
US/kˈæpɪtəlˌɪzəm/
Syllables & stress
cap - it - al - ism (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cap)
Word forms
Noun
  • Base: capitalism
  • Plural: capitalism
Word family
Core family
capital noun A1 capitalist noun B1
Related words
capitalize verb B2 capitalization noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
anti-capitalism noun anti-capitalist noun
Advanced or less common
capitalistic adjective
Expressions

crony capitalism

1
/kɹˈoʊni kˈæpɪtəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase

Capitalism with political favoritism

A type of capitalism where business success depends on close relationships with government officials, not just competition.

Examples
  • Critics say the new policy promotes crony capitalism instead of fair competition.
  • Crony capitalism can lead to corruption and unfair advantages for certain companies.

crony capitalism

1
/kɹˈoʊni kˈæpɪtəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase formal

business favors for political friends

a system where friends of leaders get unfair business advantages

Examples
  • The report warned that crony capitalism was discouraging foreign investment.
  • Voters were angry about crony capitalism and backroom deals.
  • The reforms aimed to reduce crony capitalism by increasing transparency in public contracts.

late-stage capitalism

1
/lˈeɪt stˈeɪd͡ʒ kˈæpɪtəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase

Advanced capitalism with excesses

A term used to describe a very developed form of capitalism that shows social or economic problems like inequality.

Examples
  • The meme made fun of late-stage capitalism by showing luxury pet products.
  • Some argue that late-stage capitalism focuses too much on profit at the expense of people.

state capitalism

1
/stˈeɪt kˈæpɪtəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase technical

Capitalism with state-owned businesses

A system where the government owns businesses but runs them to make money like private companies do.

Examples
  • China is often described as practicing state capitalism.
  • State capitalism mixes government control with market competition.

venture capitalism

1
/vˈɛnt͡ʃɚ kˈæpɪtəlˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase technical

Investing in startups for profit

The activity of giving money to new businesses that might grow quickly, hoping to make a profit.

Examples
  • Venture capitalism helped many tech companies grow in Silicon Valley.
  • He made his fortune through venture capitalism.

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