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caprice — a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behavior

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behavior

Pronunciation (IPA): /kəˈpriːs/

Example Sentences

  • The king's caprice led to the purple law - everyone had to wear purple on Thursdays.
  • It was just a caprice that made her dye her hair pink at 3 AM.
  • The designer's caprice resulted in a building shaped like a giant shoe.

caprice

NOUN

[/kəˈpriːs/]

a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behavior

On a sudden caprice, she bought a one-way ticket to Lisbon at midnight.
💡 Concept

On a sudden caprice, she bought a one-way ticket to Lisbon at midnight.

Her caprice puzzles the police, but art finds its release!
🎵 Rhyme

Her caprice puzzles the police, but art finds its release!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/kəˈpriːs/
🇬🇧 UK/kəˈpriːs/

🌳Etymology

Rootcapri-
Suffix--ice

Origin

Caprice derives from Italian capriccio, originally meaning 'to jump about like a goat.' The word evolved from the unpredictable, sudden directional changes of goats leaping, which came to metaphorically represent erratic, impulsive human behavior and whimsical inclinations.

Breakdown

capriccio (Italian: goat-like jumping or sudden movement) → caprice (English: a sudden, impulsive change of mood or behavior). The root likely combines capra (goat) with riccio (curly or bristling), referencing the goat's nimble, unpredictable movements.

🎵Rhyme

police
release
decrease
increase

🔗Collocations

on a caprice
sudden caprice
mere caprice
ruled by caprice
caprice of fate
whimsical caprice

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The king's caprice led to the purple law - everyone had to wear purple on Thursdays.”

😄 Fun example

“It was just a caprice that made her dye her hair pink at 3 AM.”

😄 Fun example

“The designer's caprice resulted in a building shaped like a giant shoe.”

“His investment decisions were based on caprice rather than careful analysis.”

📚Related Words

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