Capitalization: meaning, definitions and examples

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capitalization

[ˌkapɪtəlaɪˈzeɪʃən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in writing

The act of capitalizing words; the state of being capitalized.

Synonyms

capital letter, majuscule, uppercase.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
capitalization	This term is often used in a grammatical context referring to the act or process of writing or printing in capital letters. It's also used in finance to describe the total market value of a company's outstanding shares. Proper capitalization is important in writing formal letters. The company's capitalization increased after the merger.
uppercase	Frequently used in digital and printing industries to describe letters that are larger and typically used for emphasis or titles. It's a straightforward and commonly understood term. Please type your password in uppercase letters. The warning sign was displayed in uppercase to ensure visibility.
majuscule	A more formal or technical term used in typography and paleography. It refers to large letters that are often used for emphasis. In ancient manuscripts, you can find many words written in majuscule. The title of the book was printed in majuscule to catch the reader's attention.
capital letter	Commonly used in everyday language and educational contexts to describe the larger, uppercase form of a letter in the alphabet. Make sure to start your sentence with a capital letter. Her name begins with a capital letter.

Examples of usage

In English, capitalization rules can vary depending on the context.
Proper capitalization is important for clarity in written communication.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

economics

The provision of capital for a company or enterprise.

Synonyms

financing, funding, investment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
capitalization	Typically used in business and financial contexts to describe the process of providing capital (funds) to a business. It can also refer to the total value of a company's shares on the stock market. The startup is seeking capitalization to expand its operations. The company's capitalization reached a new high after the latest investment round.
financing	Refers to the act of providing funds for business activities, making purchases, or investing. It often involves banks, investors, or other financial institutions. The project secured financing from several international banks. They are exploring different financing options to buy new equipment.
funding	Used to talk about the money provided for a particular purpose, often in the context of startups, projects, research, or public causes. It can come from various sources like investors, grants, or donations. We received funding from a government grant to continue our research. The initiative is looking for additional funding to reach its goal.
investment	Generally means putting money into something (like stocks, real estate, or a business) with the expectation of future profit. It’s a broad term used in both personal and business finance. She's made a substantial investment in renewable energy companies. They are seeking investment to develop new technology.

Examples of usage

Venture capitalists play a crucial role in the capitalization of startups.
The capitalization of a business can determine its growth and success.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

accounting

The process of converting income into a value based on the expected rate of return.

Synonyms

appraisal, capital structure, valuation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
capitalization	Similarly used as the first entry, but may also refer to recording a cost/expense as a fixed asset instead of an immediate expense in accounting. The capitalization of development costs will spread the expense over multiple years. Errors in capitalization can lead to inaccurate financial statements.
valuation	Most commonly refers to the process of determining the present value of an asset or a company using various methods. The valuation of the startup was conducted by an independent firm. Investors often seek a professional valuation before making an investment.
appraisal	Used both in financial and non-financial contexts to refer to evaluating or estimating the value or performance of something. The appraisal of the property indicated its value had increased significantly. Performance appraisals are conducted annually in our company.
capital structure	Used in finance to discuss how a corporation finances its overall operations and growth by using different sources of funds such as debt, equity, or hybrid securities. The company's capital structure is balanced, with a healthy mix of equity and debt. Analyzing the capital structure helps investors understand the financial risk.

Examples of usage

Capitalization allows companies to assess the long-term value of their investments.
The capitalization of expenses can impact a company's financial statements.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from Latin 'caput', meaning 'head', referring to the first letter being the 'head' of the word.
The suffix '-ization' implies the process of making something a particular way, highlighting that capitalization is a method of writing.
The first recorded use of this concept in English dates back to the 14th century, illustrating its long-standing presence in written communication.

Grammar

In English, capitalization often signals the importance of certain words, like proper nouns or the first word of a sentence.
Different languages have different rules for capitalization, which can lead to interesting variations in writing styles worldwide.
Capital letters can also convey emphasis in informal writing, such as all caps used in digital communication to express shouting.

Technology

Software and programming languages often have specific rules for capitalization, affecting how code is written and functions.
Many text-processing programs include grammar checkers that alert users when capitalization rules are not followed.
In social media and online communication, capitalization can alter the tone of messages, like coming off as aggressive or formal.

Cultural Significance

Different cultures may emphasize certain capitalized words differently, affecting understandings of titles and honorifics in various languages.
Capitalization can reflect societal norms, such as the importance placed on certain figures or institutions by highlighting their names.

Art and Literature

Authors sometimes play with capitalization in creative writing to evoke tone or draw attention to particular concepts.
In poetry, capitalizing words can create emphasis, rhythm, or unexpected layers of meaning.

Translations

Translations of the word "capitalization" in other languages:

🇵🇹 capitalização

🇮🇳 पूंजीकरण

🇩🇪 Kapitalisierung

🇮🇩 kapitalisasi

🇺🇦 капіталізація

🇵🇱 kapitalizacja

🇯🇵 資本化 (しほんか)

🇫🇷 capitalisation

🇪🇸 capitalización

🇹🇷 sermayeleştirme

🇰🇷 자본화 (자본화)

🇸🇦 رأسملة

🇨🇿 kapitalizace

🇸🇰 kapitalizácia

🇨🇳 资本化 (zīběnhuà)

🇸🇮 kapitalizacija

🇮🇸 kapitalísering

🇰🇿 капитализация

🇬🇪 კაპიტალიზაცია

🇦🇿 kapitalizasiya

🇲🇽 capitalización

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,820, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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11817 unpopular
11818 gatherings
11819 mediator
11820 capitalization
11821 radiating
11822 blaze
11823 pence
...