What does capriciousness mean?
Capriciousness is the noun form of capricious and names a disposition toward sudden, unaccountable changes of mood, opinion, or course of action. A capricious ruler alters policy on a whim; capricious weather swings between sun and storm without warning; the capriciousness of fortune is a familiar theme in literature. Unlike simple changeability, the word implies an absence of discernible reason — shifts that seem driven by impulse rather than principle. It carries a mildly critical connotation, suggesting unreliability that frustrates those who must depend on the person or force in question. The term appears most often in formal writing, journalism, and literary criticism, describing everything from volatile markets to temperamental artists. It derives ultimately from the Latin caper, meaning goat, via Italian capriccio — a link that makes it one of English's more colourful borrowings.
nounThe quality of being given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behaviour; unpredictable fickleness or impulsiveness.
- The quality or state of being capricious — given to sudden, unpredictable changes of mood, opinion, or behaviour.
"The capriciousness of the desert weather forced the expedition to carry supplies for every season."
"Investors complained about the capriciousness of the new regulatory regime, which seemed to change rules without warning."
"She loved him despite his capriciousness, never knowing whether he would greet her with warmth or indifference."
English borrowed its word for unpredictability from the goat: 'capricious' ultimately traces to Latin caper, meaning goat — an animal whose skittish leaps seemed the very picture of whim.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of capriciousness
Capriciousness is formed from the adjective capricious plus the noun-forming suffix -ness. Capricious entered English in the early 17th century from French capricieux, ultimately derived from Italian capriccio, meaning 'a whim' or 'a shudder', which many etymologists connect to Latin caper (goat) — evoking the animal's sudden leaps and skittish movements. Related forms include caprice itself and caprine, the adjective relating to goats.
Related word forms
How capriciousness is actually used
Formal to literary in register; common in journalism and commentary when describing markets, weather, institutions, or powerful people whose behaviour is erratic. The connotation is usually mildly critical or exasperated rather than neutral.
Easily confused with capriciousness
A caprice is a single sudden whim or impulse, while capriciousness is the ongoing trait or tendency to act on such whims.