cap

/kæp/
nounBeginner
informal

a soft, close-fitting head covering

He put on a baseball cap before leaving the house.

A baseball cap was worn for style or sun protection.

💡

Commonly used for casual or sportswear.

💰Finance
formal

a limit or maximum amount

The government imposed a cap on carbon emissions.

A limit was set on carbon emissions by the government.

💡

Used in financial or regulatory contexts.

⚖️Law
formal

to limit or restrict something

The court capped the damages at $1 million.

The court set a maximum limit of $1 million for damages.

💡

Used in legal or financial contexts.

Collocations

cap and gowngraduation attirecap sizemeasurement of a hat's sizecap offto complete or finalize something

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

cap offphrasal verb
to complete or finalize something
cap and tradephrase
a market-based system to control pollution

💡Pro Tip

Context Matters

The meaning of 'cap' changes based on context. In everyday language, it refers to a hat, while in finance or law, it means a limit.

Gold Rule

Use Correctly

Ensure you use 'cap' in the right context to avoid confusion.

📖Word Origin

From Middle English 'cappe,' from Old French 'cape,' from Latin 'cappa,' meaning cloak or cape.

📝Usage Notes

The word 'cap' can refer to a head covering or a limit, depending on the context. In finance and law, it often means a maximum limit.

Word Breakdown

cap
a covering or a limit
root
English Dictionary