Dictionary

capitalize

verb cap·i·tal·ize \ˈka-pə-tə-ˌlīz, ˈkap-tə-, British also kə-ˈpi-tə-\

: to use a capital letter to write, print, or type (a letter of the alphabet)

: to begin (a word or name) with a capital letter

: to provide the money that is needed to start or develop (a business)

cap·i·tal·izedcap·i·tal·iz·ing

Full Definition of CAPITALIZE

transitive verb
1
:  to write or print with an initial capital or in capitals
2
a :  to convert into capital <capitalize the company's reserve fund>
b :  to treat as an amortizable investment in long-term capital assets rather than as an ordinary operating expense to be charged against revenue for the period in which it is incurred <capitalize development costs>
3
a :  to compute the present value of (an income extended over a period of time)
b :  to convert (a periodic payment) into an equivalent capital sum <capitalized annuities>
4
:  to supply capital for
intransitive verb
:  to gain by turning something to advantage <capitalize on an opponent's mistake>
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First Known Use of CAPITALIZE

1764

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

Rhymes with CAPITALIZE

accessorize, acclimatize, actualize, aerobicize, aestheticize, Africanize, allegorize, alphabetize, analogize, anatomize, anesthetize, animalize, annualize, antagonize, anthologize, anticlockwise, apologize, apostatize, apostrophize, arabicize, aromatize, automatize, bureaucratize, cannibalize, categorize, catheterize, catholicize, characterize, collectivize, commercialize, commoditize, communalize, computerize, conservatize, containerize, contrariwise, conveyorize, cosmeticize, counterclockwise, criminalize, cross-fertilize, cut down to size, decentralize, decolonize, de-emphasize, de-energize, defeminize, deformalize, deglamorize, dehumanize, deionize, demagnetize, demobilize, democratize, demoralize, denationalize, deodorize, depersonalize, depolarize, depressurize, desensitize, destabilize, destigmatize, detribalize, devitalize, diabolize, digitalize, disenfranchise, disorganize, economize, emblematize, emotionalize, epitomize, epoxidize, eroticize, eternalize, evangelize, extemporize, externalize, familiarize, fanaticize, fictionalize, floor exercise, fool's paradise, formularize, free enterprise, gelatinize, generalize, geologize, Hispanicize, historicize, homogenize, hospitalize, hypothesize, idealize, illegalize, immobilize, immortalize, impersonalize, Indianize, indigenize, infantilize, initialize, internalize, italicize, legitimize, liberalize, literalize, lobotomize, lysogenize, macadamize, marginalize, metabolize, metastasize, militarize, mineralize, monopolize, mythologize, nationalize, naturalize, parenthesize, philosophize, poeticize, politicize, popularize, prioritize, proselytize, radicalize, reorganize, revitalize, ritualize, romanticize, secularize, self-fertilize, sensualize, sexualize, sovietize, subjectivize, suburbanize, subvocalize, systematize, temporalize, theologize, traditionalize, trivialize, ventriloquize, visualize
CAPITALIZE Defined for Kids

capitalize

verb cap·i·tal·ize \ˈka-pə-tə-ˌlīz\
cap·i·tal·izedcap·i·tal·iz·ing

Definition of CAPITALIZE for Kids

1
:  to write with a beginning capital letter or in all capital letters
2
:  to provide money needed to start or develop (a business)
3
:  to gain by turning something to advantage <The winner capitalized on his opponent's mistakes.>
cap·i·tal·i·za·tion \ˌka-pə-tə-lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

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2 ENTRIES FOUND:
Next Word in the Dictionary: capital justiciarPrevious Word in the Dictionary: capitalizationAll Words Near: capitalize
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