Basic Details
Word: Capricious
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Someone or something that changes frequently, often without a clear reason; unpredictable.
Synonyms: Fickle, changeable, whimsical
Antonyms: Stable, constant, consistent
Idioms and Phrases
- Capricious as a cat: Used to describe someone who is very unpredictable in their feelings or actions. Example: "Her capricious nature meant she often changed her plans at the last minute."
- The capricious winds: Refers to changing winds that can affect the direction or journey of a boat. Example: "The capricious winds made sailing a challenge that day."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The weather in spring can be capricious, with sunny days followed by sudden rain showers.
Example 2: His capricious decisions at work confused his colleagues, as they never knew what he would do next.
Example 3: The artist's capricious style made her paintings unique, with changes in colour and shape appearing unexpectedly.
Fun Fact
The word "capricious" comes from the Italian word "capriccio," which means a sudden change of mind. The root "capra" means "goat," referring to the unpredictable jumps that goats make, illustrating the idea of sudden changes.
Famous Quote
"The only thing that is constant is change." – Heraclitus
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "capricious" mean?
a) Slow and steady
b) Unpredictable and changeable
c) Always the same
d) Calm and peaceful
Answer: b) Unpredictable and changeable
2. Which of these is a synonym of "capricious"?
a) Fickle
b) Reliable
c) Consistent
d) Predictable
Answer: a) Fickle
3. Which is an antonym of "capricious"?
a) Whimsical
b) Stable
c) Changeable
d) Fickle
Answer: b) Stable
4. Which sentence uses "capricious" correctly?
a) The capricious cat slept on the couch all day.
b) The capricious students always followed the same rules.
c) The capricious weather kept us guessing about our picnic plans.
d) The capricious dog fetched the same stick every time.
Answer: c) The capricious weather kept us guessing about our picnic plans.
5. What does "capricious as a cat" mean?
a) To be very playful and happy
b) To be wise and old
c) To be unpredictable in behaviour
d) To be strong and powerful
Answer: c) To be unpredictable in behaviour
