capitalize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to Neutral
Quick answer
What does “capitalize” mean?
To take advantage of an opportunity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To take advantage of an opportunity; to write or print using capital letters; to provide a business with financial capital.
To convert into capital or to treat as capital (in finance); to highlight or emphasise something by giving it prominence; to benefit from a situation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The verb is spelled 'capitalise' in British English and 'capitalize' in American English. The finance sense is slightly more prevalent in American business contexts.
Connotations
Identical in connotation across both varieties.
Frequency
The 'seize an opportunity' sense is most frequent in both varieties. The spelling sense is common in IT/editorial contexts globally.
Grammar
How to Use “capitalize” in a Sentence
VERB + on + NOUN (to capitalize on an error)VERB + NOUN (to capitalize a company)VERB + NOUN (to capitalize a letter)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “capitalize” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The team failed to capitalise on their opponent's weakness.
- You must capitalise proper nouns.
- The firm was adequately capitalised.
American English
- The company aims to capitalize on the new market trend.
- Please capitalize the first word in the heading.
- They capitalized the asset over five years.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A (The adjective form is 'capitalised'.)
American English
- N/A (The adjective form is 'capitalized'.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
We need to capitalize on our first-mover advantage. The startup was adequately capitalized.
Academic
The author fails to capitalize on the theoretical framework established earlier.
Everyday
You should capitalize on the good weather and have a picnic.
Technical
Remember to capitalize the first letter of each sentence. The costs were capitalised rather than expensed.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “capitalize”
- Incorrect preposition: 'capitalize for' instead of 'capitalize on'. Confusing 'capitalize' (verb) with 'capital' (noun/city/money). Using it intransitively without an object: 'We need to capitalize.' (Incomplete).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct. 'Capitalize' is American English spelling, 'capitalise' is British English spelling.
The most common use is the figurative sense: 'to take advantage of' or 'to benefit from' a situation (e.g., capitalize on an opportunity).
It takes the preposition 'on'. The pattern is 'to capitalize on something'.
Yes, this is a standard financial/business meaning: to provide a company with the money (capital) it needs to operate.
To take advantage of an opportunity.
Capitalize is usually formal to neutral in register.
Capitalize: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkapɪt(ə)lʌɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkæpɪdlˌaɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To capitalize on something”
- “To be fully capitalized”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'capital' as money or an important city. To CAPITALIZE is to turn something into an advantage (like making money from it) or to make a letter important (big).
Conceptual Metaphor
OPPORTUNITY IS A RESOURCE TO BE EXPLOITED (capitalize on a mistake). IMPORTANCE IS SIZE/BIGNESS (capitalize a letter).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'capitalize' used in a financial sense?