Capricious
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Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior; unpredictable.
Memory trick
CAPRICIOUS: think “caprice” = a whim; capricious = ruled by whims.
Examples
Capricious leadership made long-term planning impossible.
The capricious weather ruined the outdoor event.
Their capricious pricing changes frustrated customers.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Italian capriccio "sudden fright; whim," possibly from capo "head" + riccio "hedgehog" (bristling).
Usage Notes
Suggests unpredictable change driven by whim rather than reason.
Real-life contexts
Use in critique: "The policy feels capricious and inconsistent."
Use in planning: "Assume demand is capricious, build buffers."
Use in writing: "A capricious villain keeps readers uneasy."
Common Mistakes
Capricious is about sudden changes; not just being “fun” or playful.
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Part of Speech
adjective
Difficulty
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