capacity

IPA/kəˈpæsəti/
KK[kəpˈæsəti]IPA/kəˈpæsəti/

capacity — noun

  • capacitysingular
  • capacitiesplural

1. the largest amount that a place, machine, or system can hold or produce.

1.名詞B2
釋義

the largest amount that a place, machine, or system can hold or produce.

例句

The school hall has a seating capacity of six hundred parents.

seating capacity of + number

By noon, the freezer was at capacity with boxes of mango ice.

at capacity with + [items]

同義詞
  • volume

    focuses on physical space inside something, especially a container

  • output

    focuses only on what a person, machine, or business produces

  • room

    usually means available space rather than an official limit

文法句型

capacity of + number/amount

at/full/below capacity

用法筆記

Common with 'at', 'below', or 'of' when you talk about limits in space, energy, or output. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense measures what something can take or make, not a person's skill.

常見錯誤

❌The theater has a capacity for 800 people.
✅The theater has a capacity of 800 people.
💡use 'of' for the number a place can hold.
❌The factory is working in full capacity.
✅The factory is working at full capacity.
💡this fixed phrase normally uses 'at'.

2. the power to do, understand, or deal with something in the needed way.

2.名詞B2
釋義

the power to do, understand, or deal with something in the needed way.

例句

Caleb has the capacity to stay calm during a crowded night shift.

capacity to + verb

Years of care work gave Shirin a strong capacity for patience.

capacity for + noun

同義詞
  • ability

    the most general word for being able to do something

  • capability

    often sounds more formal and goal-focused

  • aptitude

    suggests a natural talent, especially for learning

反義詞
  • inability

    means not being able to do the thing at all

文法句型

capacity to + verb

capacity for + noun/-ing

用法筆記

Often followed by 'to' plus a verb or 'for' plus a noun such as patience or hard work. Distinguish from sense 3: this sense is about what someone can do, not the role they hold.

常見錯誤

❌She has the capacity of solve the puzzle.
✅She has the capacity to solve the puzzle.
💡use a to-infinitive after this pattern.
❌He lacks capacity on hard work.
✅He lacks the capacity for hard work.
💡use 'for' before a noun or -ing form.

3. the role or duty under which someone speaks or acts.

3.名詞C1
釋義

the role or duty under which someone speaks or acts.

例句

When the vote ended, Christopher spoke only in his capacity as union treasurer.

in his capacity as + role

The mayor was speaking in an official capacity, not as a father.

in an official capacity

同義詞
  • role

    the broad everyday word for the function someone has

  • function

    stresses the duty performed rather than the title

  • office

    often sounds more official or institutional

文法句型

in + someone's capacity as + role

in an official/professional/legal capacity

用法筆記

Almost always appears in the pattern 'in someone's capacity as ...' and points to the role that gives the person authority to speak or act. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about personal ability.

常見錯誤

❌I spoke in my capacity to manager.
✅I spoke in my capacity as manager.
💡this phrase normally uses 'as' before the role.