Word
Definition
n. a system where individuals and companies own businesses and property, and compete to make money.
n. an economic and social system based on the private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit within a market economy.
Examples
“Many countries around the world have economies based on capitalism.”
“Under capitalism, companies compete with each other to offer the best products and attract the most customers.”
“Critics of unregulated capitalism argue that it inevitably concentrates wealth, while proponents maintain it is the most efficient engine for innovation and global poverty reduction.”
Examples
simple
“Many countries around the world have economies based on capitalism.”
contextual
“Under capitalism, companies compete with each other to offer the best products and attract the most customers.”
complex
“Critics of unregulated capitalism argue that it inevitably concentrates wealth, while proponents maintain it is the most efficient engine for innovation and global poverty reduction.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “capitalism” in context.
Verb
01. critique capitalism
“Modern philosophers continue to critique capitalism for its focus on short-term profit over social welfare.”
verb + noun
02. embrace capitalism
“Several former socialist states chose to embrace capitalism in the early 1990s.”
verb + noun
03. regulate capitalism
“Governments often intervene to regulate capitalism to prevent the formation of monopolies.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. crony capitalism
“The economy was stifled by crony capitalism, where success depended on close relationships with government officials.”
adj + noun
05. global capitalism
“The rise of global capitalism has transformed local markets into interconnected supply chains.”
adj + noun
06. unfettered capitalism
“Critics argue that unfettered capitalism leads to extreme wealth inequality and environmental degradation.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. excesses of capitalism
“Labor unions were formed to protect workers from the worst excesses of capitalism.”
noun + of + noun
08. triumph of capitalism
“The fall of the Berlin Wall was seen by many as the ultimate triumph of capitalism over communism.”
noun + of + noun
Usage
Often used uncountably to refer to the general concept, but can be countable when referring to specific national varieties.
Teaching tip
While often associated with 'democracy', capitalism refers specifically to the economic structure rather than the political voting system.
Real-World Examples
“In a speech he gave this March , Burnham defined this as a means of softening the harder edges of capitalism by combining economic growth with social progress.” “The hit musical became a battleground for competing ideas about capitalism, artistic value, and commercial theater.” Etymology
Borrowed from French capitalisme (“the condition of one who is rich”); equivalent to capital + -ism. Derived from Proto-Indo-European káput (“head”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European kap-. First used in English by novelist William Thackeray in The Newcomes [1854-1855].
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
Idioms
01. crony capitalism
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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
- Register
- Academic
QR code
englishreference.com/q/capitalism
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0