capone: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1informal, historical, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “capone” mean?
The surname of the notorious American gangster Al Capone (1899–1947).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The surname of the notorious American gangster Al Capone (1899–1947).
Used metonymically to refer to a powerful, ruthless, and high-profile crime boss or criminal organization; by extension, a symbol of organized crime, corruption, and illicit power, especially during the Prohibition era.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In American English, 'Capone' is a direct cultural-historical reference. In British English, it is still recognized but may be used more as a generalized metaphor for a powerful gangster.
Connotations
Stronger immediate cultural resonance in AmE; in BrE, it may be seen as a borrowed Americanism.
Frequency
More frequent in AmE, particularly in contexts discussing organized crime history.
Grammar
How to Use “capone” in a Sentence
[Determiner] + Capone + [Prepositional Phrase][Proper Noun] + is/ was the + Capone + of + [Domain][Verb] like CaponeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “capone” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The gang tried to Capone their way into control of the docks.
- He's not leading, he's Capone-ing the whole operation.
American English
- They attempted to Capone the liquor distribution network.
- The corrupt official was basically Capone-ing the city council.
adverb
British English
- The mob ruled Capone-style, through fear and bribery.
- He operated Capone-fashion, with brutal efficiency.
American English
- The city was run Capone-style during Prohibition.
- They expanded their territory Capone-like, eliminating rivals.
adjective
British English
- He had a Capone-esque grip on the underground trade.
- The investigation revealed a Capone-level of corruption.
American English
- It was a Capone-style operation with front businesses everywhere.
- They uncovered a Capone-like web of influence.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphor for a ruthlessly dominant competitor or monopolist (e.g., 'the Capone of the tech industry').
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or criminology papers on organized crime, Prohibition, or urban corruption.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation except as a historical reference or hyperbolic comparison for someone acting tyrannically.
Technical
Not typically used in technical fields outside of historical reference.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “capone”
- Using 'a capone' (with indefinite article) to mean any gangster; it's primarily a proper noun reference.
- Misspelling as 'Caponne' or 'Capon'.
- Confusing with 'capon' (a castrated rooster).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it's a metaphorical or metonymic use. You might say 'a modern-day Capone' to mean a similarly powerful crime boss, but it remains a reference to the original person.
Primarily a proper noun. It can be used attributively as an adjective (e.g., Capone era) or converted informally into other parts of speech for stylistic effect.
He became a symbol of the violent, flashy, and politically-connected organized crime that flourished during the U.S. Prohibition era (1920-1933). His notoriety was amplified by media coverage, creating a lasting archetype.
Almost universally negative, associated with murder, corruption, and violence. Occasionally, in very informal or ironic contexts, it might be used to connote ruthless business acumen or power, but this is not a standard positive connotation.
The surname of the notorious American gangster Al Capone (1899–1947).
Capone is usually informal, historical, journalistic in register.
Capone: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈpəʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈpoʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Public Enemy Number One”
- “run things like Capone”
- “a Capone-esque operation”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CAP being put ON a city (Cap-on), controlling it completely, just like Al Capone controlled Chicago.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION IS A CORPORATION / CRIMINAL IS A CELEBRITY.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most historically accurate method that finally led to Al Capone's imprisonment?