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REFERENCE

cap

n. · v.
US //ˈkæp// UK //kˈæp// cap
  1. 1 a hat (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a soft, flat hat that fits closely to the head and usually has a stiff part at the front called a peak.

    a close-fitting head covering, typically soft and brimless or featuring a peak, often worn for sport or casual use.

    Example

    He pulled his baseball cap down low to keep the sun out of his eyes.

    Example

    The player adjusted his cap before stepping onto the field, ensuring the peak was perfectly aligned to block the stadium lights.
  2. 2 a lid or cover (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a small lid or cover used to close a bottle, tube, or pen.

    a protective lid or seal designed to close the opening of a container or the tip of an object.

    Example

    Make sure you put the cap back on the pen so it doesn't dry out.

    Example

    The technician tightened the plastic cap on the chemical vial to prevent any accidental leakage during transport.
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  1. 3 an upper limit (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Finance

    a maximum amount of money that can be spent or charged.

    a legally or contractually mandated upper limit on a price, salary, or expenditure.

    Example

    The government introduced a cap on energy prices to help families with bills.

    Example

    The league's salary cap prevents wealthier clubs from monopolising the best talent by restricting total player compensation.
  2. 4 a lie (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Informal

    a lie or an exaggeration.

    a statement that is untrue or exaggerated; frequently used in the phrase 'no cap' to mean 'I am not lying'.

    Example

    He said he met the president, but I think that's a cap.

    Example

    The claim that he finished the entire project in a single afternoon was pure cap, as his colleagues had seen him struggling for weeks.

    Teacher's tip

    Commonly used by younger speakers; 'no cap' is a very frequent modern idiom used to emphasise sincerity.
  3. 5 sports appearance (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English Sport

    an appearance for a national team in a sport like football or rugby.

    an international appearance for a national sports team, originating from the physical cap formerly awarded to players.

    Example

    The striker earned his fiftieth cap for England in the match against France.

    Example

    Despite his consistent performance at the club level, the midfielder struggled to secure a regular cap for the national squad.
  4. 6 to limit (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Finance

    to set a maximum limit on an amount of money.

    to impose an upper limit on a variable, such as a price, interest rate, or budget.

    Example

    The council decided to cap rent increases at three percent per year.

    Example

    The central bank may choose to cap interest rates if the volatility in the bond market continues to escalate.
  5. 7 to finish or outdo (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to finish something in a great way, or to do something even better than what came before.

    to conclude an event or series of actions, often in a superlative way; to surpass a previous achievement.

    Example

    They capped the evening with a beautiful firework display over the lake.

    Example

    The team capped a remarkable season by winning the championship trophy in front of their home crowd.
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