capitalist

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A person who invests money in businesses to make a profit, especially in a capitalist economy.

   Grammar: Countable; can refer to a specific person or a type.

   Patterns

   • a capitalist invests in something
   • a capitalist owns something
   • a venture capitalist

   The factory was built by a wealthy capitalist.

   As a capitalist, she invests in new technology companies.

   Critics say capitalists care more about profit than people.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Relating to an economic system based on private ownership and profit.

   Grammar: Used before a noun: capitalist economy, capitalist system.

   Patterns

   • capitalist economy
   • capitalist system
   • capitalist society

   The country has a capitalist economy.

   They debated the pros and cons of a capitalist system.

   In a capitalist society, businesses compete for profit.

Word forms

Common combinations

venture capitalist

A venture capitalist provided funding for the startup.

capitalist economy

The nation shifted to a capitalist economy in the 1990s.

capitalist system

Many argue that the capitalist system encourages innovation.

capitalist class

The capitalist class controls most of the means of production.

Synonyms and how they differ

investor

Broader; anyone who puts money into something, not necessarily a capitalist.

financier

Focuses on managing large amounts of money; more specific than capitalist.

Opposites

Word family

capitalism noun

An economic system based on private ownership and profit.

capitalistic adjective

Another word for capitalist (adjective), often disapproving.

capital noun

Money or property used to start a business.

Commonly confused: capitalist or capital?

Practice

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