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  1. Home /
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  3. English Dictionary /
  4. cap

cap

/kæp/
a soft, close-fitting head covering

She wore a red cap to keep her head warm.

A red cap was used to provide warmth.


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

hatlidlimitceiling

Antonyms

unlimitedunrestricted

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
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