Capriciousness: meaning, definitions and examples

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capriciousness

 

[หŒkaprษชหˆสƒษ™snษ™s ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

behavior

The quality of being unpredictable and subject to whim or impulse.

Synonyms

arbitrariness, unpredictability, whimsicalness.

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Word Description / Examples
capriciousness

This word is often used to describe behavior that is impulsive, unpredictable, and subject to sudden changes without clear reason. It often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting instability.

  • Her capriciousness made it difficult for her colleagues to rely on her for important projects
whimsicalness

Whimsicalness refers to playful, fanciful, or amusing behavior or ideas, often with an element of unpredictability. It is usually used in a more positive or lighthearted context compared to 'capriciousness' or 'arbitrariness'.

  • The whimsicalness of the artist's creations brought joy to everyone who viewed them
arbitrariness

Arbitrariness is used when decisions or actions appear to be made without any clear logic or principle. It is commonly used in legal, organizational, or authoritative contexts and generally has a negative connotation, implying unfairness or randomness.

  • The arbitrariness of the new company policies angered many employees
unpredictability

This term is used to describe the quality of being unable to be predicted or relied upon due to inherent uncertainty. It can be applied to various situations, including weather, behavior, or outcomes, and does not necessarily have a negative connotation.

  • The unpredictability of the stock market makes it a risky investment

Examples of usage

  • She was known for her capriciousness, often changing her mind at the last minute.
  • His capriciousness made it difficult to work with him on important projects.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Italian 'capriccio,' which means 'a whim or a fancy,' reflecting sudden changes.
  • It is derived from 'capra,' meaning 'goat,' as goats are known for their unpredictable jumps.
  • The term has been used in English since the 17th century to describe sudden changes or impulsive behavior.

Psychology

  • In psychology, individuals who display capricious behavior may struggle with decision-making and consistency.
  • Such unpredictability can affect relationships, as friends and family may find it hard to anticipate their actions.
  • Research suggests that capriciousness can stem from high levels of openness to experience, leading to varied emotional responses.

Literature

  • Capricious characters often appear in literature, adding tension and surprise to narratives.
  • In classic works, capriciousness can represent the unpredictability of fate, like in Shakespeare's comedies.
  • Authors portray capriciousness to reflect the complexities of human nature, often revealing deeper truths about their characters.

Pop Culture

  • In film, capricious characters can lead to scenes filled with comedic misunderstanding or drama, captivating audiences.
  • Many pop songs describe fleeting love or changing feelings, perfectly capturing the essence of capriciousness.
  • The whimsical nature of capricious characters is often embraced in animated films, appealing to both children and adults.

Science

  • In meteorology, weather can be described as capricious when it changes suddenly and unpredictably.
  • The concept of capriciousness can be observed in ecosystems where species adapt to rapidly changing conditions.
  • Scientists studying animal behavior note that some species display capricious traits in their migratory patterns.

Translations

Translations of the word "capriciousness" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น capricho

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฎเคจเคฎเฅŒเคœเฅ€เคชเคจ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Launenhaftigkeit

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kesenangan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟั€ะธะผั…ะปะธะฒั–ัั‚ัŒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ kapryล›noล›ฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆฐ—ใพใใ‚Œ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท caprice

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ capricho

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kaprislilik

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ณ€๋•์Šค๋Ÿฌ์›€

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุฒุงุฌูŠุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ vrtoลกivost

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ rozmar

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ไปปๆ€ง

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ kapricioznost

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ skapsmunasemi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบำฉั€ะบะตะผะดั–ะบ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒแƒžแƒ แƒ˜แƒ–แƒฃแƒšแƒแƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kaprizlilik

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ capricho

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,664 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.