le capricieux

Definition & meaning

The word capricieux is an adjective used to describe someone or something that is characterized by sudden, unpredictable changes in mood, behavior, or impulse.

• In people: It refers to someone who is fickle or prone to whims. It is frequently used to describe children who are difficult to please or who change their minds without a logical reason.
• In objects or nature: It describes things that are unreliable or inconsistent. For example, un temps capricieux↗ refers to unpredictable weather, while un moteur capricieux↗ refers to an engine that works only intermittently.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

• Masculine singular: capricieux
• Masculine plural: capricieux (the spelling does not change)
• Feminine singular: capricieuse↗
• Feminine plural: capricieuses↗

Word origin: The word is derived from the French noun caprice↗, which means a whim or a sudden fancy. This noun comes from the Italian capriccio. Etymologically, it is often linked to the Italian word capra (goat), suggesting the sudden, jerky, and unpredictable leaps of a goat.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• changeant↗: describes something that changes frequently.
• instable↗: used for something that lacks stability or constancy.
• versatile↗: refers to someone who changes their mind or allegiance easily.
• fantasque↗: describes someone guided by their imagination or sudden whims.
• imprévisible↗: something that cannot be predicted.

Antonyms:

• constant↗: someone or something that remains the same over time.
• stable↗: firmly established and not likely to change.
• prévisible↗: someone whose actions can be anticipated.
• régulier↗: acting or done at uniform intervals; predictable.
• posé↗: describes a person who is steady, calm, and serious.