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Caps Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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caps

caps

🇺🇸 /ˈkæps/ · 🇬🇧 /kˈæps/

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

written

Letters of the alphabet that are written in uppercase (capital) form.

Synonyms

capital letters, uppercase letters.

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Word Description / Examples
caps

Short for 'capital letters' and often used in informal and spoken language. It can also be used in instructions where brevity is important.

  • The filename should be in all caps.
  • Check if the document title is in caps.
capital letters

Used in general and educational contexts to refer to uppercase letters. It is a neutral term and suitable for both formal and informal communication.

  • Always start a sentence with a capital letter.
  • Her name is written in capital letters on the plaque.
uppercase letters

Often used in technical, graphic design, and typographical contexts. It is a precise term that specifies the larger version of letters and is suitable for formal documentation and detailed explanations.

  • This font looks better when you use uppercase letters for headings.
  • Please enter your password in uppercase letters.

Examples of usage

  • Please write your name in all caps on the form.
  • The headline was in caps to grab attention.

Translations

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

Quick facts about “caps”

Caps is a 1-syllable noun. It is pronounced /ˈkæps/ in American English and /kˈæps/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 1 meaning, 2 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #8,133 among the most common English words.

Did you know?

“caps” in fashion

  • Caps, like baseball caps, became popular in the 19th century as part of American sportswear.
  • The 'flat cap' was originally popular among working-class British men, symbolizing a connection to rural life.

“caps” in technology

  • In computer terminology, 'caps' can refer to CAPTCHAs, which are tests used to determine whether a user is a human.
  • The phrase 'CAPS LOCK' on keyboards indicates when letters are typed in uppercase, commonly used for emphasis.

“caps” in sports

  • In sports, a 'cap' often signifies an appearance in a game, especially in soccer, where players earn caps for representing their country.
  • The England national football team has caps awarded since the late 19th century to celebrate players' international matches.

“caps” in science

  • In medicine, 'caps' can refer to capsules, which are used to hold medicines in a form that’s easy to swallow.
  • Caps are also the upper part of fungi, like mushrooms, which play a key role in reproduction and spore distribution.

Origin of 'caps'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'cap' comes from the Latin word 'cappa,' which means 'hood' or 'covering.'
  • In Old English, 'cæppe' was also used to refer to a type of head covering.

The term 'caps' originated from the Latin word 'capitālis', which means 'of the head' or 'chief'. It was first used in English to refer to capital letters in the 18th century. Over time, 'caps' became a common abbreviation for uppercase letters, especially in the context of writing and printing.

See also: cap, capable, capacity, cape, caplet, capstone, recap.

Rhymes

Caps rhymes with chaps, claps, flaps, laps, maps, naps, raps and saps.

See all rhymes →

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,133 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.