Word
capacity
Phoneticsca·pac·i·ty, stress on the second syllable
US/kəˈpæsəti/
UK/kəpˈæsɪti/
Definitions
01volume or space
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the total amount that a container or space can hold.
n. the maximum amount or number that can be contained or accommodated.
“The stadium was filled to capacity for the final game of the season.”
“The fuel tank has a capacity of fifty litres, which is sufficient for most long-distance journeys without frequent stops.”
02ability to do something
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Academic
n. your ability to do a specific task or understand an idea.
n. the power or ability to generate, receive, or exhibit a specific quality or perform a task.
“She has a great capacity for hard work and never seems to get tired.”
“The human brain has an incredible capacity for processing complex visual information in a fraction of a second.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03official role
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Formal
n. a particular job or position that someone has.
n. a specific role, function, or position in which a person acts.
“He attended the meeting in his capacity as the company's legal advisor.”
“She was acting in a private capacity when she made those comments, so they do not reflect the official policy of the department.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'in'.
04production limit
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Academic · Technical
n. the maximum amount that a factory or machine can produce.
n. the maximum output that an industrial plant or economy can maintain.
Español:capacidad
“The factory is currently operating at full capacity to meet the high demand.”
“Economists are concerned that the industry is reaching its productive capacity, which could lead to inflationary pressures if demand continues to rise.”
Synonyms
05legal competence
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Law Formal · Technical
n. the legal right or mental ability to make your own decisions.
n. the legal qualification or mental competence to perform a specific act or enter into a contract.
“The court had to decide if the elderly man had the mental capacity to sign the will.”
“The defendant's legal capacity was questioned by the prosecution, leading to a lengthy psychiatric evaluation before the trial could proceed.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
06completely full
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. filling all the available space.
adj. occupying the total available space or reaching the maximum limit; non-gradable.
“The singer performed to a capacity crowd at the local theatre.”
“The venue hosted a capacity audience, with every seat occupied and standing room only at the back of the hall.”
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “capacity” in context.
Verb
01. develop capacity
“The program helps developing nations develop capacity for renewable energy.”
verb + noun
02. enhance capacity
“New technology was installed to enhance capacity at the manufacturing plant.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. basic capacity
“The software requires a basic capacity for data processing to run efficiently.”
adj + noun
04. broad capacity
“She has a broad capacity for understanding complex legal documents.”
adj + noun
05. certain capacity
“He served the organization in a certain capacity for over ten years.”
adj + noun
06. diagnostic capacity
“The hospital is working to improve its diagnostic capacity for rare diseases.”
adj + noun
07. different capacity
“After the promotion, she began working in a completely different capacity.”
adj + noun
08. distinct capacity
“Each team member contributes in a distinct capacity to the project's success.”
adj + noun
09. general capacity
“The test measures a student's general capacity for logical reasoning.”
adj + noun
Noun
10. capacity limit
“The elevator has a strict capacity limit of ten people for safety reasons.”
noun + noun
11. discrete capacity
12. final capacity
Real-World Examples
“Ukraine has destroyed almost a third of Russia’s refining capacity this year with its long-range drones.” “Even when patients are found, capacity to treat them is running short.” “In the past, this could be met with roughly 60GW of capacity from coal, gas and nuclear power stations.” Etymology
From Middle English capacite, from Old French capacite, from Latin capācitās, from capāx (“able to hold much”), from capiō (“to hold, to contain, to take, to understand”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/capacity
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0