Englanti

caprice

gb/kəpɹˈis/ us/kəpɹˈis/
C1 Englanti
~ 8600
Merkitykset
0 merkitystä
Substantiivi formal C1 event
1

sudden change in mood or behavior

A sudden change in how someone feels or acts, without a clear reason.

Käyttömalli: the caprices of [someone/something]
Tyypillinen virhe:
Learners often confuse “caprice” with the adjective “capricious.” “Caprice” is the noun (a caprice), while “capricious” describes a person or thing (a capricious boss, capricious weather). Another mistake is thinking it means only a simple “wish”; it also implies unpredictability and lack of reason.
Synonyymit
whim (More common and less formal; can sound lighter or less critical than “caprice.”) | impulse (Suggests a sudden feeling that makes you act, but not always as unpredictable or irrational as “caprice.”) | vagary (Formal and slightly old-fashioned; often used for odd or unpredictable changes in things like weather or fortune.)
Antonyymit
consistency (Suggests stable, regular behavior without sudden changes.) | steadiness (Emphasizes reliable, calm behavior, the opposite of sudden shifts.)
Kollokaatiot
the caprices of |sudden caprice |pure caprice |personal caprices |whim and caprice |subject to the caprices of
Teemat
emotions |behavior |psychology |core_vocabulary
Esimerkit
  • The project’s success depended on the caprices of a notoriously moody investor.
  • She had learned to live with the artistic director’s caprices and last‑minute demands.
  • The staff were exhausted by the CEO’s caprices, which could change company policy overnight.
  • Parents often feel powerless in the face of their teenager’s emotional caprices.
  • Farmers’ incomes rise and fall with the caprices of the weather.
Oppijaesimerkit
  • The team was tired of their boss’s caprices.
  • Her friends never knew how to deal with her emotional caprices.
  • Our plans changed because of his caprices.
  • Workers worry about the caprices of top managers.
  • Life in that house depended on the father’s caprices.
Substantiivi formal C1 entity
2

unreasonable whim that drives decisions

A sudden wish that is not fair or logical, but still decides what someone does.

Käyttömalli: [someone] acts on a caprice
Tyypillinen virhe:
Learners may use “caprice” when “choice” or “decision” is better. “Caprice” suggests the reason for the decision is only a sudden, personal wish, not logic or rules. If a decision is normal or carefully thought out, do not call it a caprice.
Synonyymit
whim (More general and common; does not always carry the strong sense of unfairness or irrational authority that “caprice” can have.) | arbitrariness (Stresses lack of any rule or reason; more abstract and often used in legal or political contexts.)
Antonyymit
fairness (Decisions based on justice and reason rather than personal, sudden wishes.) | principle (A stable rule that guides actions, opposite of acting from a passing caprice.)
Kollokaatiot
mere caprice |act on a caprice |the caprice of a ruler |legal by caprice |at the caprice of |subject to the caprice of
Teemat
behavior |society |work |emotions |relationships |core_vocabulary
Esimerkit
  • Tenants lived at the caprice of a landlord who could raise the rent whenever he felt like it.
  • Under the dictatorship, people’s lives were controlled by the caprice of those in power.
  • The policy seems to change every year according to the caprice of whichever minister is in office.
  • Artists complained that awards were given more by caprice than by merit.
  • Citizens feared that their property could be taken away on the mere caprice of an official.
Oppijaesimerkit
  • The workers were tired of the manager’s caprice.
  • Laws should not change because of one leader’s caprice.
  • Her future depended on the caprice of a rich sponsor.
  • Students felt marks were set by the teacher’s caprice, not by clear rules.
  • We do not want our lives to follow one person’s caprice.
Substantiivi technical C2 entity
3

lively, free-form musical piece

A fast, showy piece of classical music, often for one instrument, with a free and playful style.

Käyttömalli: a caprice for [instrument]
Synonyymit
capriccio (The Italian form more often used in formal musical titles; meaning is essentially the same as this sense of “caprice.”) | showpiece (Informal; emphasizes technical display, without the specific stylistic idea of a caprice.)
Antonyymit
etude (Not a true antonym in meaning, but often contrasts with a caprice by focusing on systematic technical study rather than free, playful character.)
Kollokaatiot
violin caprice |solo caprice |a caprice for violin |Romantic caprice |virtuosic caprice
Teemat
music |art |arts_entertainment
Esimerkit
  • She performed a dazzling violin caprice by Paganini as her encore.
  • The composer wrote a brief caprice for solo flute to open the concert.
  • His new album includes a modern guitar caprice inspired by folk melodies.
Oppijaesimerkit
  • He practiced a difficult caprice on the violin.
  • The concert started with a short piano caprice.
  • She wrote a caprice for solo cello.
  • The caprice was fast and playful.
  • This caprice shows the player’s great skill.
Kielioppi
Sanakirjamuoto
caprice
IPA
GB/kəpɹˈis/
US/kəpɹˈis/
Tavut ja painotus
caprice (1 tavu)
Taivutusmuodot
Noun
  • Base: caprice
  • Plural: caprice, caprices
Sanaperhe
Forms
caprices noun
Core family
capricious adjective C1
Related words
capriciously adverb
Advanced or less common
capriciousness noun
Ilmaukset

at the caprice of [someone/something]

1
/ˈæt ðə kəpɹˈis əv sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ/
fixed phrase formal

under someone’s unpredictable control

Used to say that a person or thing is controlled by another person’s sudden, often unfair wishes or decisions.

Esimerkit
  • Seasonal workers live at the caprice of employers who can end their contracts without warning.
  • The region’s economy is at the caprice of global markets.
  • Citizens should not be at the caprice of a single powerful leader.

the caprices of fate

1
/ðə kəpɹˈisɪz əv fˈeɪt/
fixed phrase literary

unpredictable changes controlled by fate

Used to talk about how life changes in ways we cannot control or explain, as if some power called fate suddenly decides things.

Esimerkit
  • Their meeting was one of those moments that people later blame on the caprices of fate.
  • The novel follows a family through the caprices of fate, from sudden wealth to unexpected loss.
  • History is shaped not only by plans, but also by the caprices of fate.

the caprices of the weather

1
/ðə kəpɹˈisɪz əv ðə wˈɛðɚ/
fixed phrase formal

unpredictable changes in the weather

Used to talk about how the weather changes suddenly and in ways we cannot control or clearly predict.

Esimerkit
  • Farmers here are used to the caprices of the weather.
  • The festival, held outdoors, is always at the mercy of the caprices of the weather.
  • Ski resorts depend on the caprices of the weather for a good season.

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