Cap

/kæp/

nounBeginnerVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

3 meanings
1

A covering for the head.

/kæp/

nounneutralBeginner
General

Head covering

I need a new cap for the winter.

💡 Simply: Something you wear on your head.

More Examples

2

He adjusted his cap.

How It's Used

Everyday Life

"He wore a baseball cap."

Fashion

"The designer showcased a new line of winter caps."

2

A limit or restriction.

/kæp/

nounneutralIntermediate
General

Limit or top

There's a spending cap.

💡 Simply: A limit or the highest amount allowed.

More Examples

2

The speed is capped at 80 mph.

How It's Used

Finance

"There's a cap on the amount you can borrow."

Programming

"The program has a memory cap."

Tip:Think of it as a 'cap' on something.
3

To put a cover on the top of something.

/kæp/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To cover the top

Cap the pen.

💡 Simply: To put a lid on something.

More Examples

2

Cap the toothpaste tube.

How It's Used

Everyday Life

"He capped the bottle."

Tip:Imagine putting a cap on a bottle.

Idioms & expressions

cap it off

To finish something in a satisfying way.

"We capped it off with a great dinner."

From Middle English cappe, from Old French cape, from Latin cappa.

The word 'cap' has a long history, with its usage as headwear dating back centuries. Its meaning as a limit developed later.

Memory tip

Think of Captain America's cap.

cappcaap

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written