# capricious

/kəˈpɹɪʃəs/ (US) · /kæpɹˈɪʃəs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/capricious
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

changing your mind or your behavior very quickly and without a clear reason. You use this to describe someone who is unpredictable or someone who makes decisions based on their mood.

For teachers: governed by impulse rather than by reason or calculation; subject to sudden and unaccountable changes of mind or mood. Often used to describe legal or administrative decisions that lack a consistent basis.

## Examples

- The weather in this valley is very capricious.
- The manager's capricious nature made it difficult for the team to plan their projects in advance.
- The court ruled that the board's decision to terminate the contract was capricious, as there was no evidence of a consistent policy or a legitimate business reason for the change.

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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.