capitalize

English

Alternative forms

• capitalise (non-Oxford British spelling)

Etymology

capital +‎ -ize. From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Latin capitalis (“of or pertaining to the head”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkæpətəˌlaɪz/

Verb

1. (transitive) In writing or editing, to write (something: either an entire word or text, or just the initial letter(s) thereof) in capital letters, in upper case.

   In German, all nouns are capitalized.

2. (transitive, business, finance) To contribute or acquire capital (money or other resources) for.

   Some states require proof that a new venture is properly capitalized before the state will issue a certificate of incorporation.

3. (transitive, finance) To convert into capital, i.e., to get cash or similar immediately fungible resources for some less fungible property or source of future income.

   If we obtain a loan using the business as collateral, the effect will be to capitalize our next ten years of income, giving us cash today that we can use to buy out our competitor.

4. (transitive, accounting, taxation) To treat as capital, not as an expense.
5. (intransitive) To profit or to obtain an advantage.

   The home team took several shots on goal but was unable to capitalize until late in the game.

6. (intransitive, followed by on) To seize, as an opportunity; to obtain a benefit; to invest on something profitable.

   The home team appeared to have the advantage throughout the game, and finally capitalized on their opponents' weakness with just two minutes remaining, scoring several points in quick succession.

Related terms

• capitalizable
• capitalization

Translations

In writing or editing, to make use of capital letters

• Finnish: kirjoittaa isoin kirjaimin
• French: capitaliser (fr)
• Maori: whakapūmatua
• Polish: pisać z dużej litery
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Portuguese: maiusculizar (pt), maiuscular
• Romanian: scrie cu majuscule, a scrie cu litere mari
• Spanish: escribir en mayúsculas (literally “to write in capital letters”), escribir con mayúscula inicial (literally “to write with the first letter capitalized”), mayusculizar

to have, contribute or acquire capital (money or other resources) for a business

• Finnish: rahoittaa (fi), pääomittaa
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Romanian: capitaliza (ro)

to convert into capital

• Finnish: muuttaa rahaksi
• French: capitaliser (fr)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• German: kapitalisieren (de)
• Maori: whakahua

to treat as capital, not as an expense

• Finnish: rahastoida
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}

To profit or to obtain an advantage

• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}

To seize, as an opportunity; to obtain a benefit

• Finnish: käyttää hyväkseen, hyödyntää (fi)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Romanian: capitaliza (ro)

See also

• capitalization on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• market capitalization on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

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Portuguese

Verb

capitalize

1. first-person singular present subjunctive of capitalizar
2. third-person singular present subjunctive of capitalizar
3. first-person singular imperative of capitalizar
4. third-person singular imperative of capitalizar