Basic Details
Word: Capacious
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Having a lot of space inside; able to hold a great deal.
Synonyms: roomy, spacious, ample, vast
Antonyms: cramped, small, poky
How to Spell Capacious
Syllables: ca - pa - cious
Tricky part: There is a single p, and the ending -cious has a c that sounds like sh. Students often write capasious or drop the i.
Watch out for: capacius, capasious, cappacious
Memory tip: Capacious is a cousin of capacity, which also means how much something can hold. Keep capac- and add -ious.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Nani's capacious handbag always has biscuits, a fan and a first-aid kit inside.
Example 2: The new library has a capacious reading room on the top floor.
Example 3: The car's boot was capacious enough for four suitcases.
Fun Fact
Capacious comes from Latin capax, 'able to hold much', from capere, to take. Capture and captive come from the same Latin verb.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. contaner 2. capacious 3. warehose 4. cuboard
a) an object such as a box or jar used to hold something
b) a cabinet with shelves and doors
c) a large building where goods are stored
d) having plenty of space inside
Show answer
d) having plenty of space inside. Cupboard keeps a silent p, warehouse ends in house and container has ai, so capacious is the correct choice.
Word Connection
Choose the word opposite in meaning to capacious as used in the sentence:
The family moved into a capacious flat with a balcony overlooking the sea.
a) spacious
b) cramped
c) vast
d) roomy
Show answer
b) cramped. A cramped flat feels squeezed, while a capacious one has room to spare.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the word in the sentence and choose it:
The cook needed a scuoipcaa pot to make rice for two hundred wedding guests.
a) capricious
b) precious
c) capacious
d) spacious
Show answer
c) capacious. A pot big enough for two hundred guests must be capacious; capricious, spacious and precious do not fit the letters.
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters:
c_p_c_ous
a) a, a, e
b) e, a, i
c) a, a, i
d) a, e, i
Show answer
c) a, a, i. Ca-pa-cious: two a's in the first syllables and an i before -ous.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A capacious bag is one that ____.
a) is beautifully made
b) is very light
c) has many colours
d) holds a great deal
Show answer
d) holds a great deal
2. Least likely to be described as capacious is ____.
a) a cargo ship
b) a thimble
c) a cathedral
d) a stadium
Show answer
b) a thimble
