capitalize

cap·i·tal·ize

verb \ˈka-pə-tə-ˌlīz, ˈkap-tə-, British also kə-ˈpi-tə-\

cap·i·tal·izedcap·i·tal·iz·ing

Definition of CAPITALIZE

transitive verb

1

: to write or print with an initial capital or in capitals

2

a : to convert into capital <capitalize the company's reserve fund>

b : to treat as an amortizable investment in long-term capital assets rather than as an ordinary operating expense to be charged against revenue for the period in which it is incurred <capitalize development costs>

3

a : to compute the present value of (an income extended over a period of time)

b : to convert (a periodic payment) into an equivalent capital sum <capitalized annuities>

4

: to supply capital for

intransitive verb

: to gain by turning something to advantage : profit <capitalize on an opponent's mistake>

Examples of CAPITALIZE

1. Remember to capitalize the I in Internet.
2. Capitalize the first word of your sentence.
3. She rarely capitalizes her name when she signs her e-mails.
4. The venture was capitalized with a loan of one million dollars.
5. You can capitalize your investment at any time.

First Known Use of CAPITALIZE

1764

Related to CAPITALIZE

Synonyms

bankroll, finance, endow, fund, stake, subsidize, underwrite

Antonyms

defund

Related Words

grubstake; cofinance, refinance; advocate, aid, back, champion, endorse (also indorse), patronize, sponsor, support; maintain, nourish, provide (for); clear, defray, discharge, foot, liquidate, pay, pay off, pay up, quit, recompense, settle, spring (for), stand; refund

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

Rhymes with CAPITALIZE

accessorize, acclimatize, actualize, aerobicize, aestheticize, Africanize, allegorize, alphabetize, analogize, anatomize, anesthetize, animalize, annualize, antagonize, anthologize, anticlockwise, apologize, apostatize, apostrophize, arabicize, aromatize, automatize, bureaucratize, cannibalize, categorize, catheterize, catholicize, characterize, collectivize, commercialize, commoditize, communalize, computerize, conservatize, containerize, contrariwise, conveyorize, cosmeticize, counterclockwise, criminalize, cross-fertilize, cut down to size, decentralize, decolonize, de-emphasize, de-energize, defeminize, deformalize, deglamorize, dehumanize, deionize, demagnetize, demobilize, democratize, demoralize, denationalize, deodorize, depersonalize, depolarize, depressurize, desensitize, destabilize, destigmatize, detribalize, devitalize, diabolize, digitalize, disenfranchise, disorganize, economize, emblematize, emotionalize, epitomize, epoxidize, eroticize, eternalize, evangelize, extemporize, externalize, familiarize, fanaticize, fictionalize, floor exercise, fool's paradise, formularize, free enterprise, gelatinize, generalize, geologize, Hispanicize, historicize, homogenize, hospitalize, hypothesize, idealize, illegalize, immobilize, immortalize, impersonalize, Indianize, indigenize, infantilize, initialize, internalize, italicize, legitimize, liberalize, literalize, lobotomize, lysogenize, macadamize, marginalize, metabolize, metastasize, militarize, mineralize, monopolize, mythologize, nationalize, naturalize, parenthesize, philosophize, poeticize, politicize, popularize, prioritize, proselytize, radicalize, reorganize, revitalize, ritualize, romanticize, secularize, self-fertilize, sensualize, sexualize, sovietize, subjectivize, suburbanize, subvocalize, systematize, temporalize, theologize, traditionalize, trivialize, ventriloquize, visualize