Uncapitalize: meaning, definitions and examples

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uncapitalize

 

[ʌnˈkæpɪtəˌlaɪz ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

writing style

To change the first letter of a word from uppercase to lowercase.

Synonyms

decapitalize, lowercase.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
uncapitalize

Use this word when you specifically want to mention changing a capital letter to a lowercase letter, often in technical or programming contexts.

  • Please uncapitalize the first letter to match the formatting guidelines.
  • Make sure to uncapitalize all titles in the database.
lowercase

This is a widely used term in both general and technical contexts when you are referring to changing letters from uppercase to lowercase. It's more universally understood and frequently used.

  • Please lowercase the entire text for consistency.
  • In coding, make sure to lowercase all variable names.
decapitalize

This term is less commonly used but can refer to making a capital letter lowercase. It is also often found in technical contexts or formal writing.

  • The function will decapitalize the input string.
  • Decapitalize the first word in each sentence for this exercise.

Examples of usage

  • Remember to uncapitalize the first letter of each word in the title.
  • She accidentally uncapitalized the proper noun in her essay.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term comes from 'capital', which refers to uppercase letters, originating from the Latin word 'capitale', meaning 'head'.
  • Changing letters from capital to lowercase is part of the broader study of linguistics and typographical conventions.

Linguistics

  • In standard English grammar, proper nouns, such as names and places, start with capital letters, while common nouns do not.
  • The rules governing capitalization can vary significantly between different languages, indicating cultural preferences in writing.

Digital Culture

  • Social media often sees users creating text in all lowercase to convey a casual tone or to express a lack of formal education.
  • The rise of texting and online communication has led to the emergence of informal writing styles where capitalization rules are sometimes ignored.

Education

  • Teaching about capitalization and its opposite, uncapitalization, is often part of early writing education in schools.
  • Understanding the difference between capital and lowercase letters helps children learn proper spelling and grammar.

Graphic Design

  • In typography, using all capital letters is often associated with emphasis or shouting, while lowercase may be considered more approachable.
  • Graphic designers often choose between uppercase and lowercase letters for logo designs to convey specific brand feelings or identities.

Translations

Translations of the word "uncapitalize" in other languages:

🇵🇹 descapitalizar

🇮🇳 छोटा करना

🇩🇪 kleinschreiben

🇮🇩 mengecilkan huruf

🇺🇦 перетворити на малі літери

🇵🇱 zmienić na małe litery

🇯🇵 小文字にする

🇫🇷 mettre en minuscules

🇪🇸 convertir en minúsculas

🇹🇷 küçük harfe çevirmek

🇰🇷 소문자로 바꾸다

🇸🇦 تحويل إلى أحرف صغيرة

🇨🇿 změnit na malá písmena

🇸🇰 zmeniť na malé písmená

🇨🇳 转为小写

🇸🇮 pretvoriti v male črke

🇮🇸 breyta í lágstafi

🇰🇿 кіші әріптерге ауыстыру

🇬🇪 პატარა ასოებად გადაყვანა

🇦🇿 kiçik hərflərə çevirmək

🇲🇽 convertir a minúsculas