# capped

/ˈkæpt/ (US) · /kˈæpt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/capped
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to limit an amount

verb · CEFR B2

to set a maximum limit on an amount of money or a number.

For teachers: to place an upper limit on a price, rate, or quantity. Often used in passive constructions regarding finance or policy.

- The government capped energy prices to help families with their monthly bills.
- The regulatory body capped the interest rates that lenders could charge, aiming to protect vulnerable consumers from predatory debt cycles.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice: 'The budget was capped at five million dollars.'

### 2. to cover the top

verb · CEFR B2

to put a lid or a cover on the top of something.

For teachers: to provide a fitting or protective covering for the top or end of an object.

- She capped the bottle tightly so the juice wouldn't spill in her bag.
- The engineers capped the abandoned oil well with a heavy steel plate to prevent any further environmental leakage into the surrounding soil.

### 3. having a top or limit

adjective · CEFR B2

having a cover on top, or having a fixed limit that cannot be passed.

For teachers: characterised by a physical cap or a predetermined maximum threshold.

- The snow-capped mountains looked beautiful in the early morning sun.
- The investment offers a capped return, meaning you cannot earn more than a specific percentage regardless of market performance.

### 4. to finish or follow

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to finish an event with something even better or more impressive.

For teachers: to follow or conclude an event with a final, often superior, action or achievement.

- He capped his amazing performance by winning the gold medal.
- The team capped a remarkable season by securing the championship title in a dramatic final match that went into overtime.

Teaching tip: This sense is often used to describe a 'crowning achievement' or a final positive touch to a series of events.

## Examples

- The government capped energy prices to help families.
- The university capped the number of new students this year to ensure there was enough housing for everyone.
- To prevent a total economic collapse, the central bank capped interest rates at five percent, effectively halting the rapid rise in borrowing costs for small businesses.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.