Uppercase Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
ðŸ”
uppercase
[ˈʌpəˌkeɪs ]
Definitions
text
Written or printed in capital letters; of or in letters of the alphabet that are A, B, C, etc., rather than a, b, c, etc.
Synonyms
capitalized, large letters, majuscule.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| uppercase |
Commonly used in computing and typography to refer to capital letters. Suitable for technical contexts.
|
| capitalized |
Refers to the first letter of a word being a capital letter. Used in general writing and grammar contexts.
|
| majuscule |
An older, more scholarly term used in the context of ancient manuscripts and calligraphy. Rarely used in everyday conversation.
|
| large letters |
Used in everyday conversational contexts to describe big letters, regardless of case.
|
Examples of usage
- The title is written in uppercase letters.
- Remember to type your password in uppercase.
text
An uppercase letter.
Synonyms
capital letter, majuscule.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| uppercase |
Identical to the first entry, this should typically be used when referring to text formatting or style, especially in a digital or technological context.
|
| capital letter |
Typically used in everyday English and basic grammar to refer to the first letter of a proper noun or the first letter of a sentence.
|
| majuscule |
A more formal or academic term, often employed in historical texts or discussions about old manuscripts and inscriptions.
|
Examples of usage
- Please write your name in uppercase on the form.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Typography
- Uppercase letters are often used for emphasis or to signify important information in text.
- In modern typography, uppercase font is called 'all caps,' typically used for signs and headers.
- Different typefaces can greatly affect how uppercase letters appear, impacting readability and tone.
Technology
- In computer programming, uppercase letters can signify constants or specific commands in many languages.
- Many social media platforms automatically change the first letter of sentences to uppercase for proper grammar.
- Voice recognition software often recognizes commands better when they are phrased in uppercase.
Linguistics
- Different languages have different rules for when to use uppercase letters, affecting how we write names or titles.
- In some languages like German, every noun starts with an uppercase letter, which is unique among many of the world's languages.
- Linguists study the roles uppercase letters play in distinguishing proper nouns from common nouns.
Literature
- Famous authors have used uppercase letters in creative ways to convey emotion, such as in poetry or dramatic works.
- Uppercase letters can also be used in literature to represent shouting or strong feelings in dialogue.
- Certain classical texts show variations in the use of uppercase letters, influencing how they are interpreted by readers.
Origin of 'uppercase'
Main points about word origin
- The term 'uppercase' comes from the days of printing when the larger letters were stored in the upper part of a type case.
- This language concept dates back to the 15th century, during the rise of movable type printing.
- The opposite, 'lowercase,' refers to smaller letters kept in the lower section of the type case.
The term 'uppercase' originated from the traditional way of setting type for printing presses. The larger, capital letters were stored in the 'upper case' of the printer's type case, while the smaller, lowercase letters were in the 'lower case'. Over time, the distinction between uppercase and lowercase letters became standard in typography and text formatting.
See also: case, cases, casing, casings, cassette, encase, encased, encasement, encasing, lowercase.