capitalist

1 of 2

noun

cap·​i·​tal·​ist ˈka-pə-tə-list 

ˈkap-tə-

1

: a person who has capital especially invested in business

industrial capitalists

broadly : a person of wealth : plutocrat

Charitable organizations often seek help from capitalists.

2

: a person who favors capitalism

capitalist

2 of 2

adjective

variants or capitalistic

ˌka-pə-tə-ˈli-stik 

ˌkap-tə-

1

: owning capital

the capitalist class

2

a

: practicing or advocating capitalism

capitalist nations

b

: marked by capitalism

capitalist period of history

capitalistically

ˌka-pə-tə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē 

ˌkap-tə-

adverb

Synonyms of capitalist

Noun

• have
• plutocrat
• money
• magnate
• moneybags
• billionaire

Examples of capitalist in a Sentence

Noun

capitalists who lost everything in the '29 Crash

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But also Teddy Roosevelt was able to knit that country divided between country and city and East and West back together again during the 20th century by taking a whistle-stop train around the country with the same message of a square deal for the rich and the poor, the capitalist and the laborer. —Greg Carannante, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2026

The company, which was co-founded by venture capitalist Peter Thiel in 2003, has seen its federal contracts expand steadily over the years. —Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 3 Jan. 2026

Adjective

According to the indictment, Lai,41, and the other defendants are all from the Los Angeles area and part of the Turtle Island Liberation Front, an anti-capitalist and anti-government group. —Julie Sharp, CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026

Buffett has always remained steadfast in his belief in the American capitalist system. —Josh Funk, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably borrowed from French capitaliste "person possessing capital," from capital capital entry 2 + -iste -ist entry 1

Adjective

capital entry 2 + -ist entry 2, after capitalist entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1774, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing capitalist

• pre-capitalist

Kids Definition

capitalist

noun

cap·​i·​tal·​ist

ˈkap-ət-ᵊl-əst, 

ˈkap-tᵊl-

1

: a person who has capital and especially business capital

2

: a person who supports capitalism