What does capsize mean?
Word: Capsize
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Of a boat, to turn over in the water so that the bottom is on top.
Synonyms: tip over, keel over
How do you spell capsize?
Syllables: cap - size
Tricky part: Capsize is always spelt with z, even in British English. It is not a word that takes the -ise choice, so capsise is wrong.
Watch out for: capsise, capsiez, capsyze
Memory tip: Capsize keeps its z even in British English: no -ise spelling ever turns this boat over.
Capsize in a sentence
Example 1: The canoe capsized when everyone leaned to one side.
Example 2: Life jackets kept the rowers safe after their boat capsized in the Ganga.
Example 3: Strong waves can capsize a small fishing boat in minutes.
Fun Fact
The origin of capsize is uncertain. It first appeared in English in sailors' talk in the 1700s.
Practise the CREST Way
Spellacadabra
Choose the option in which the following letters will fit in the given order: a, i, e
a) p__r__d__
b) m__n__t__
c) s__l__t__
d) c__ps__z__
Show answer
d) c__ps__z__. Parade needs a, a, e, minute i, u, e and salute a, u, e; a, i, e completes capsize.
Word Tally
How many words are misspelt in the given sentence?
When a sudden squall hit the lake, the ferry tilted so far that it nearly capsized, but the coast gaurd guided it safely to the jetty.
a) 0
b) 1
c) 3
d) 2
Show answer
b) 1. Only guard is wrong, because it needs u before a; squall and jetty are correct.
Jumble Tumble
Choose the correct sequence of the jumbled letters to form a meaningful word:
1234567 sapzeic
a) 3271645
b) 7234615
c) 7631245
d) 7231645
Show answer
d) 7231645. The c at position 7 starts the word and the e at position 5 ends it.
Word Puzzle
Match the words with the correct options:
1. capsize 2. linger 3. scorch a. stay b. overturn c. burn
a) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
b) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
c) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
d) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
Show answer
a) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c. To capsize is to overturn, to linger is to stay on and to scorch is to burn.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these can capsize?
a) a jetty
b) a lighthouse
c) a harbour wall
d) a rowing boat
Show answer
d) a rowing boat
2. What is most likely to make a small boat capsize?
a) a huge wave hitting it from the side
b) rowing slowly on a calm pond
c) tying it firmly to the jetty
d) keeping the load in the middle
Show answer
a) a huge wave hitting it from the side
