Basic Details
Word: Capriciously
Part of Speech: Adverb
Meaning: In a way that changes suddenly and unpredictably, without a good reason.
Synonyms: unpredictably, erratically, changeably
Antonyms: steadily, consistently, predictably
How to Spell Capriciously
Syllables: ca - pri - cious - ly
Tricky part: Build it from capricious, with its -cious ending, and add ly. Nothing is dropped, so all the letters of capricious stay.
Watch out for: capriciusly, capricously, capritiously
Memory tip: Count the i's: c-a-p-r-i-c-i-o-u-s-l-y has two, both before the o. Then ly is simply added on.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The rules of the game seemed to change capriciously from one round to the next.
Example 2: Prices at the old market rose and fell capriciously.
Example 3: The little boy behaved capriciously, laughing and crying in the same minute.
Fun Fact
In music a caprice is a short, lively piece in a free style. The violinist Niccolo Paganini wrote a famous set of 24 Caprices for solo violin.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
One letter in this word is not needed. Find it:
capriciousley
a) u
b) y
c) e
d) l
Show answer
c) e. The adverb is capricious plus ly, with no e in between.
Spell-o-Spell
Three words in the list are spelt correctly and one is misspelt. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word.
1. generously 2. capriciusly 3. anxiously 4. graciously
a) in a kind and polite way
b) in a worried way
c) in a giving, unselfish way
d) in a way that changes suddenly without reason
Show answer
d) in a way that changes suddenly without reason. Capriciusly has lost the o of -cious; the other three are spelt right.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word capriciously as used in the sentence:
The wind blew capriciously over the lake, first from the north and then from the west.
a) gently
b) steadily
c) silently
d) unpredictably
Show answer
d) unpredictably. Wind that keeps changing direction blows unpredictably.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. If a judge acts capriciously, the decisions are ____.
a) always the same
b) careful and fair
c) based on whims, not reasons
d) written in advance
Show answer
c) based on whims, not reasons
2. Capriciously is formed by adding ly to which word?
a) captive
b) capricious
c) caprice
d) capsize
Show answer
b) capricious
