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Capitalize Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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capitalize

[ˈkapɪtəˌlaɪz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

writing

To capitalize a word means to write it in uppercase, or to invest money in a business in order to increase its value.

Synonyms

invest, uppercase.

Examples of usage

  • He forgot to capitalize the first letter of the sentence.
  • She decided to capitalize on the new trend by investing in stocks.
Context #2 | Noun

finance

Capitalization refers to the total value of a company's outstanding shares of stock, calculated by multiplying the current share price by the total number of outstanding shares.

Synonyms

market value, valuation.

Examples of usage

  • The market capitalization of the company exceeded $1 billion.
  • The capitalization rate is an important factor in real estate investments.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Grammar

  • In English, the first letter of a sentence and proper nouns (like names) must be capitalized to clarify meaning.
  • Different languages have various rules for capitalization; for example, German capitalizes all nouns.

Technology

  • Many programming languages require specific rules for capitalization, helping distinguish between functions and variables.
  • In social media and texting, changing capitalization can alter the tone; 'CAPITALIZE' sounds loud or excited!

Psychology

  • Research shows that using uppercase letters in writing can evoke stronger emotional responses from readers.
  • Overuse of capitalization might lead to misinterpretation in digital communication, being perceived as shouting.

Literature

  • In poetry and creative writing, authors often play with capitalization to create emphasis or signify important themes.
  • Capitalization has historical significance in manuscripts where illuminated initials were ornate and held artistic value.

Origin of 'capitalize'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'capitalis', meaning 'of the head', referring to the head or top letters.
  • Since the 14th century, the term has been used in English to describe the practice of using uppercase letters.

The word 'capitalize' has its origins in the Latin word 'caput', which means 'head'. In the 18th century, it took on the financial sense of 'to convert into capital'. Over time, it also came to be used in the context of writing to refer to writing in uppercase letters.

See also: decapitalize, uncapitalize, undercapitalize.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,267, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.