Word
capping
Phoneticscap·ping, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkæpɪŋ/
UK/kˈæpɪŋ/
Informal
Definition
v. to lie or tell a story that is not true. People use this when they think someone is bragging or making things up.
v. to lie, exaggerate, or make false claims. Frequently used in African American Vernacular English and digital contexts to call out dishonesty or boasting.
Examples
“He said he won the lottery, but I know he's capping.”
“Stop capping about your high score because I saw your actual results on the screen.”
“Social media users often accuse influencers of capping when their lifestyle posts appear too perfect to be authentic or consistent with their known history.”
Examples
simple
“He said he won the lottery, but I know he's capping.”
contextual
“Stop capping about your high score because I saw your actual results on the screen.”
complex
“Social media users often accuse influencers of capping when their lifestyle posts appear too perfect to be authentic or consistent with their known history.”
Usage
The verb is intransitive and often appears in the continuous form ('capping') or as the phrase 'no cap'.
Pitfall
He is capping to me
He is capping
In this slang sense, the verb is usually intransitive and does not require a prepositional object like 'to me'.
Real-World Examples
“The artist limited use of her 3D printer to a standard work week of 38 hours, capping output at one tile per day.” “Other international cities to use some form of a fare capping system include London, Dublin, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.” - 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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