Caper

/ˈkeɪpər/

nounBeginner📊CommonGeneral
3 meanings2 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

A playful or mischievous act; a prank.

/ˈkeɪpər/

nounneutralBeginner
General

A playful or mischievous act.

The children were up to their usual capers.

💡 Simply: A fun, silly thing someone does.

More Examples

2

His latest caper involved dressing up as a superhero.

How It's Used

Informal Conversation

"He pulled a silly caper in the meeting."

2

The flower bud of the caper bush, pickled and used as a condiment.

/ˈkeɪpər/

nounneutralBeginner
General

A pickled flower bud.

She added capers to the salad for extra flavor.

💡 Simply: A small, pickled bud used in cooking.

More Examples

2

The recipe called for a tablespoon of capers.

How It's Used

Culinary

"The pasta dish was topped with capers and olives."

Tip:Think of a small, salty, and tangy treat.
3

To leap or skip playfully; to frolic.

/ˈkeɪpər/

verbpositiveBeginner
General

To leap or skip playfully.

The lambs were capering in the field.

💡 Simply: To jump and play happily.

More Examples

2

She capered with joy upon hearing the news.

How It's Used

Informal Conversation

"The kids were capering around the garden."

Tip:Imagine a playful goat leaping around – capering!

From Middle French capre, from Latin capparis, from Greek κάππαρις (kápparis).

The word 'caper' has been used in English since the 15th century, initially referring to the playful movements of animals before expanding to include human actions.

Memory tip

Think of a monkey's playful antics – capers!

Word Origin

LanguageGreek
Original meaning

"The Greek word κάππαρις (kápparis) referred to the caper plant itself."

pull a capercaper around

Common misspellings

capperkaper

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written