capitalize
verb
cap·i·tal·ize
ˈka-pə-tə-ˌlīz 
ˈkap-tə-
capitalized; capitalizing
1
: to write or print with an initial capital or in capitals
Capitalize the names of cities and states.
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
: to gain by turning something to advantage
capitalize on an opponent's mistake
Examples of capitalize in a Sentence
Remember to capitalize the I in Internet.
Capitalize the first word of your sentence.
She rarely capitalizes her name when she signs her e-mails.
The venture was capitalized with a loan of one million dollars.
You can capitalize your investment at any time.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Lightning capitalized and scored with four seconds left on the man advantage, with Jake Guentzel scoring on a rebound of a Nikita Kucherov shot.
—
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2025
The Pistons played well in the series opener, but just did not capitalize late.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
Son saw a skillset in Ray and found a way to not just manipulate it but capitalize off of it.
—Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025
The term Deaf, capitalized, refers in the US to an identity or community—to those members of Deaf culture who share ASL as a primary language.
—Mara Mills, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for capitalize
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2025
The Pistons played well in the series opener, but just did not capitalize late.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
Son saw a skillset in Ray and found a way to not just manipulate it but capitalize off of it.
—Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025
The term Deaf, capitalized, refers in the US to an identity or community—to those members of Deaf culture who share ASL as a primary language.
—Mara Mills, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for capitalize
Cite this Entry
“Capitalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capitalize. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
capitalize
verb
cap·i·tal·ize
ˈkap-ət-ᵊl-ˌīz
ˈkap-tᵊl-
capitalized; capitalizing
1
: to write or print with a beginning capital letter or in capital letters
2
a
: to supply capital for (as a business or a project)
b
: to use as capital (as in business)
3
: to use to help oneself
capitalize on an opponent's mistake
capitalization
noun
ˌkap-ət-ᵊl-ə-ˈzā-shən
ˌkap-tᵊl-
Legal Definition
capitalize
transitive verb
cap·i·tal·ize
ˈka-pət-ᵊl-ˌīz
capitalized; capitalizing
1
a
: to convert into capital
capitalize the company's earnings
b
: to treat as a capital expenditure rather than an ordinary and necessary expense
the cost of the merger must be capitalized
2
a
: to compute the present value of (an income extended over a period of time) compare amortize
b
: to convert (a periodic payment) into an equivalent capital sum
capitalized annuities
3
: to supply capital for
had capitalized the business with her own savings
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