capacity
C1Formal, Technical, Academic, Business
Definition
Meaning
The maximum amount that something can contain, hold, or produce; the ability or power to do or understand something.
A specific role or position; the legal authority or competence.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word 'capacity' relates to both physical limits (containers, systems) and abstract potentials (mental ability, official role). It suggests an inherent or designed upper limit.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The word is used identically across both varieties.
Connotations
Consistently formal and technical in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American English across formal and technical registers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[in + the capacity of + NP][capacity to + INF][capacity for + NP/V-ing][at + capacity]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “At capacity (full)”
- “In a professional/personal capacity (in a particular role)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to maximum output of a factory or system, e.g., 'The plant is running at 90% capacity.'
Academic
Used in psychology (cognitive capacity), economics (productive capacity), and engineering (load capacity).
Everyday
Most often used for the size of containers, venues, or batteries, e.g., 'The fuel tank has a 50-litre capacity.'
Technical
Precise measurement of volume, data storage, or electrical charge.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- A capacity crowd filled the stadium.
- The train was operating at capacity load.
American English
- The hotel reported capacity occupancy for the weekend.
- The reactor reached capacity output.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The bottle has a capacity of one litre.
- The bus has a capacity for 50 passengers.
- The hall was filled to capacity for the concert.
- My phone battery has a large capacity.
- The new software tests the computer's processing capacity.
- She acted in her capacity as team leader.
- The treaty was signed in his capacity as head of state.
- The study aimed to measure the human brain's capacity for pattern recognition.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CAP: it can only hold so much water. Its CAP-ACITY is its limit.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A CONTAINER (e.g., 'mental capacity'), ORGANIZATIONS ARE MACHINES (e.g., 'production capacity').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to 'ёмкость' for abstract 'ability' contexts. 'Capacity' as 'role' (e.g., 'in my capacity as manager') does not translate as 'способность'. Use 'в качестве' or 'в роли'.
- Russian 'мощность' often relates to power/engine capacity, while English 'capacity' is broader (size, volume, ability).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'capacity' as a countable noun for abstract ability incorrectly (e.g., 'He has many capacities' – unnatural). Use 'abilities' or 'skills'.
- Confusing 'capacity' with 'capability' – 'capacity' is about maximum limit or volume, 'capability' is about the quality of being able.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'capacity' used to mean 'official role'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is usually uncountable when referring to volume or ability ('The capacity is limited'). It can be countable when referring to specific roles or types of ability ('He has served in various capacities').
'Capacity' often implies an inherent maximum limit or potential ('mental capacity'), while 'ability' refers to a skill or talent that can be developed ('ability to play piano').
No, 'capacity' is only a noun. The related verb is 'to capacitate', but it is very rare and technical. Normally, phrases like 'enable' or 'equip' are used.
It means 'completely full', operating at the maximum possible level. E.g., 'The hospital is at capacity' means it cannot accept more patients.
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