caprice

/kəˈpriːs/ (bre, ipa) · [kəprˈis] /kəˈpriːs/ (ame, ipa) · [kəprˈis] /kə-ˈprēs How to pronounce caprice (audio)/ (ame, mw)

caprice — noun

  • capricesingular
  • capricesplural

1. A sudden wish, or a quick change in someone's decisions or behaviour, that seems

1.名詞C1
釋義

A sudden wish, or a quick change in someone's decisions or behaviour, that seems to come for no clear reason.

例句

Out of caprice, Heloisa traded the museum visit for a last-minute train ride.

out of caprice (formal phrase for an unreasoned change)

The director's caprice changed the play's ending the night before opening.

someone's caprice + changed [plan/result]

同義詞
  • whim

    More common and less formal; 'whim' often sounds lighter and more playful.

  • impulse

    Stronger and more action-driven; an impulse pushes someone to act at once.

  • fancy

    Usually softer and more pleasant; a fancy can simply be a passing liking.

  • fickleness

    Focuses on the lasting habit of changing preferences, not one sudden turn.

反義詞
  • deliberation

    Deliberation involves careful thought before choosing.

  • consistency

    Consistency suggests steady behaviour instead of sudden changes.

文法句型

a caprice to do something

at the caprice of [someone]

[adjective] + caprice (sudden / mere / royal)

用法筆記

Usually used when the speaker disapproves of a choice because it feels arbitrary or childish. It is especially common when someone's private mood affects other people's plans.

常見錯誤

❌The shop has a caprice of jackets.
✅The shop has a selection of jackets.
💡'Caprice' means a sudden personal wish or unpredictable decision, not a range of choices.
❌She bought the red bag by caprice.
✅She bought the red bag on a whim.
💡In everyday English, 'on a whim' is the usual phrase; 'caprice' is more formal and less common in this structure.