Capitalist
/ˈkæpɪtəlɪst/
Definitions
2 meaningsA person who supports or practices capitalism.
/ˈkæpɪtəlɪst/
A person who owns capital and uses it to produce goods or services for profit.
Many successful capitalists are philanthropists.
💡 Simply: Someone who owns businesses and makes money from them.
More Examples
The policies favored capitalists and hurt workers.
How It's Used
"The capitalist invested heavily in the new technology."
"The debate focused on the role of the capitalist class in society."
Of or relating to capitalism.
/ˈkæpɪtəlɪst/
Relating to or characteristic of capitalism.
Capitalist economies often have competitive markets.
💡 Simply: Having to do with a system where businesses are owned by individuals or companies.
More Examples
The capitalist system has its strengths and weaknesses.
How It's Used
"The country adopted a capitalist economic model."
From "capital" (meaning wealth or funds) + "-ist" (agent suffix), emerging in the 19th century with the rise of industrial capitalism.
The term gained prominence during the Industrial Revolution, reflecting the growing influence of private ownership and capital accumulation.
Memory tip
Think 'capital' (money) + '-ist' (person who does something).
Word Origin
"Derived from 'capital' referring to wealth or assets and '-ist' denoting a person who adheres to a particular system or ideology."