English Reference
noun · adjective

capitalist

n. · adj.
US /ˈkæpətəɫɪst/ UK /kˈæpɪtəlˌɪst/ cap·i·tal·ist UK spelling capitalist's, capitalist's

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.a person who uses their own money to start or invest in businesses to make more money.

    n.an individual who invests capital in business ventures with the expectation of generating a profit.

    Simple

    The young capitalist invested all his savings into a new tech startup.

    In context

    Venture capitalists often provide the necessary funding for early-stage companies in exchange for equity and a seat on the board of directors.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.someone who believes that capitalism is the best way to run a country's economy.

    n.a proponent or supporter of the principles of capitalism as an economic and social system.

    Simple

    As a dedicated capitalist, she argued that competition leads to better products for everyone.

    In context

    The debate featured a prominent capitalist who defended the role of private property in driving national innovation.

    free marketeer
  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.describing something that follows the rules or ideas of capitalism.

    adj.pertaining to, characteristic of, or based on the principles of capitalism.

    Simple

    Many countries moved toward a capitalist system after the end of the Cold War.

    In context

    The shift toward capitalist reforms led to a rapid increase in foreign investment and industrial growth within the region.

    private enterprisefree market

Initially, the gathering of black people from across the globe was, he felt, "a beautiful, profound experience devoid of capitalist motives".

BBC News· 16 Aug 2026

Journalist Gil Durán argues that a small circle of Silicon Valley billionaires and venture capitalists have concluded that democracy is in their way — and that they should be governing in its place.

NPR· 10 Aug 2026

From French capitaliste; equivalent to capital + -ist. Derived from Proto-Indo-European káput (“head”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European kap-.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin ine-pro *kap-
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated