capers: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to informal for the verb; neutral for the noun (culinary).
Quick answer
What does “capers” mean?
1. (n.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
1. (n.) The pickled flower buds of a Mediterranean shrub, used as a pungent seasoning. 2. (v.) To skip or dance about playfully.
Playful, energetic, or mischievous activities; light-hearted adventures or pranks.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The noun (food) is equally common in both varieties. The verb 'to caper' is slightly more literary/archaic in both, but perhaps more likely to be encountered in British literature describing movement.
Connotations
In both, the verb carries a sense of playful, often foolish or exuberant, movement.
Frequency
The culinary noun is of low-medium frequency in food contexts. The verb is low frequency, found more in descriptive writing than speech.
Grammar
How to Use “capers” in a Sentence
[Subject] capers [around/across] [Location][Subject] is capers (incorrect)[Subject] added capers [to something]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “capers” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The lambs capered joyfully in the spring meadow.
- He capered about the room after hearing the good news.
American English
- The kids capered around the backyard sprinkler.
- She capered across the stage during the silly finale.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- (None standard. 'Caper-sauce' is a compound noun.)
- The sauce had a distinct caper flavour.
American English
- (None standard. 'Caperberry' is a related noun.)
- It was a caper-based vinaigrette.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly metaphorical: 'The startup's latest capers in the market raised eyebrows.'
Academic
Rare, except in historical/literary studies describing behaviour.
Everyday
Most common in culinary contexts: 'This pasta needs capers.' The verb is uncommon in casual speech.
Technical
Culinary/Horticultural: Refers specifically to Capparis spinosa buds.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “capers”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “capers”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “capers”
- Using 'capers' as a singular noun (a caper). Incorrect: 'He did a caper.' Correct: 'He cut a caper' or 'He capered.'
- Confusing the food with 'capers' as in 'heists' (slang from 'caper' meaning a criminal job).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Capers are the unopened flower buds. Caperberries are the fruit that appears after the flower blooms, and they are larger, often served pickled with stems.
It can, but it often carries a connotation of playful, slightly foolish, or undignified behaviour, making it more common in humorous or critical descriptions.
Yes, 'a caper' is grammatically correct for a single bud, but in culinary contexts, the plural 'capers' is overwhelmingly used as a mass noun (like 'rice').
This slang meaning is unrelated to the jumping verb. It likely derives from 16th-century 'cap' meaning to arrest or seize, influenced by the idea of a 'capture' or enterprise.
1. (n.
Capers is usually neutral to informal for the verb; neutral for the noun (culinary). in register.
Capers: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkeɪpəz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkeɪpərz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cut capers (to dance or behave in a playful, silly way)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CAPERS: Culinary Aroma, Playful Energy, Really Spicy. Think of a chef playfully adding the spicy buds to a dish.
Conceptual Metaphor
PLAYFUL ACTIVITY IS PHYSICAL LEAPING (His thoughts capered from one idea to another).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'capers' used as a verb?