cap

/kæp/
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A small covering for the head or another object, with extended senses for limits, finishing actions, capital letters, and slang about lying.

Examples

  • The old sailor wore a blue cap in every photograph.
  • The comment section called cap on his excuse.
  • The plan caps annual price increases at three percent.
  • Do not write the whole email in all caps.
  • The app caps uploads at ten files per day.

Similar words

skullcap
lid
insult
maximum
bluff
top
exaggerate
capital
headgear
complete

Meanings

Soft head covering

noun
clothing
neutral
A close-fitting or soft hat, often with a visor, worn for shade, warmth, uniform, sport, or style.

Examples

  • He pulled his cap low against the afternoon sun.
  • The catcher adjusted his cap before the next pitch.
  • A wool cap kept her ears warm on the walk home.
  • The officer's cap had a shiny black visor.
  • She packed a swim cap for practice.
  • The old sailor wore a blue cap in every photograph.
  • Each volunteer received a red cap with the festival logo.

Similar words

Cover or top

noun
objects
neutral
A small lid, protective covering, or top part that closes, shields, or sits over something.

Examples

  • She twisted the cap back onto the water bottle.
  • The camera lens cap fell under the seat.
  • A plastic cap protected the needle during shipping.
  • The dentist replaced the cracked tooth with a ceramic cap.
  • Snow formed a white cap on the mountain peak.
  • The mushroom cap was broad and pale brown.
  • The mechanic checked the radiator cap for leaks.

Similar words

Upper limit

noun
finance
neutral
A fixed maximum amount, price, number, or level allowed in a rule, contract, or plan.

Examples

  • The league introduced a salary cap for all teams.
  • The policy includes a cap on out-of-pocket costs.
  • A price cap kept electricity bills from rising too quickly.
  • The data plan has a monthly cap of fifty gigabytes.
  • Lawmakers debated a stricter cap on campaign donations.
  • The grant has a cap of $10,000 per applicant.
  • A carbon cap limits the factory's yearly emissions.

Similar words

Set an upper limit

verb
finance
neutral
To place a maximum allowed amount, level, or rate on something.

Examples

  • The contract caps damages at two million dollars.
  • The city voted to cap short-term rental permits.
  • The plan caps annual price increases at three percent.
  • Regulators may cap roaming fees next year.
  • The app caps uploads at ten files per day.
  • The school capped class sizes after complaints.
  • New rules cap overtime at twelve hours a week.

Similar words

Cover, finish, or outdo

verb
objects
neutral
To put a cap or top on something, cover its upper part, finish it with a final touch, or surpass what came before.

Examples

  • Please cap the pen before it dries out.
  • Snow capped the roofs after midnight.
  • The chef capped the dessert with fresh berries.
  • A late goal capped a brilliant comeback.
  • The team capped off the season with a parade.
  • Her final joke capped an already funny speech.
  • The new record capped his best year as a runner.

Similar words

Capital letter

noun
writing
informal
A capital letter, used most often in the plural when talking about writing or typing in uppercase.

Examples

  • The warning label was printed in caps.
  • Do not write the whole email in all caps.
  • The password needs one cap and one number.
  • Her initials appeared in small caps on the invitation.
  • The designer used caps for the menu headings.
  • Typing in all caps can look like shouting.
  • The logo mixes lower-case letters with caps.

Similar words

Lie or exaggeration

noun
slang
slang
A lie, false claim, or exaggerated boast, especially in the phrase no cap for sincerity.

Examples

  • That rumor is pure cap.
  • No cap, this is the best pizza in town.
  • He said he owns three cars, but everyone knew it was cap.
  • If she says the test was easy, that's cap.
  • The comment section called cap on his excuse.
  • There is too much cap in that story.
  • I'm not selling the tickets, no cap.

Similar words

Lie or boast

verb
slang
slang
To lie, exaggerate, or boast falsely, and in older slang to trade playful insults.

Examples

  • Stop capping about how much money you made.
  • He was capping when he said he knew the mayor.
  • They cap on each other after practice.
  • Nobody believed her because she had capped before.
  • I am not capping, the line really went around the block.
  • The fans said the promoter was capping online.
  • He likes to cap about designer clothes he never bought.

Similar words

Etymology

From Old English caeppe, from Late Latin cappa, meaning a hooded cloak or head covering. The covering idea later spread to lids, tops, limits, and finishing senses, while the modern slang developed separately in African American English.

FAQ

What does cap mean as a hat?

Cap means a soft or close-fitting hat, often with a visor, worn for shade, warmth, sport, uniform, or style.

What is a cap on a bottle or tooth?

A cap can be a small lid, protective cover, or top part, such as a bottle cap, lens cap, tooth cap, or mushroom cap.

What does a cap mean in prices or spending?

A cap is an upper limit, so a price cap, salary cap, or spending cap sets the highest allowed amount.

How is cap used as a verb?

To cap something can mean to put a top on it, set an upper limit, finish it with a final touch, or surpass what came before.

What do caps mean in writing?

Caps usually means capital letters, especially in phrases such as all caps or small caps.

What does slang cap mean?

In slang, cap means a lie, false claim, or exaggerated boast, and no cap means the statement is meant as true or sincere.

Can cap be a slang verb?

Yes. To cap or be capping can mean to lie, exaggerate, boast falsely, or in older use to trade playful insults.

Where does cap come from?

Cap comes from Old English caeppe, from Late Latin cappa, a word for a hooded cloak or head covering.

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