Meaning & use
capture
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To catch and hold someone or something, especially by force.
Grammar: Takes an object: capture the thief. Often used in passive: was captured.
Patterns
- capture someone
- capture something
- be captured by someone
The police captured the escaped prisoner after a long chase.
The army captured the city in a surprise attack.
The wild horse was captured and taken to a sanctuary.
verbtransitive
To record or show something accurately in a picture, sound, or words.
Grammar: Takes an object: capture the moment. Often used for photos, videos, or writing.
Patterns
- capture an image
- capture a mood
- capture something on camera
The photographer captured the sunset perfectly.
Her novel captures the spirit of the 1920s.
The video captures the sound of the waves.
verbtransitive
To attract and hold someone's attention or interest.
Grammar: Takes an object: capture the audience. Often used with 'attention' or 'imagination'.
Patterns
- capture someone's attention
- capture someone's imagination
- capture the audience
The speaker captured everyone's attention from the first word.
The idea captured the imagination of the public.
This game will capture your interest for hours.
Word forms
| third person singular | captures |
|---|---|
| past tense | captured |
| past participle | captured |
| present participle | capturing |
Common combinations
- capture the moment
- She took a photo to capture the moment.
- capture someone's attention
- The bright colors captured the baby's attention.
- capture on camera
- The accident was captured on camera.
- capture the essence
- The painting captures the essence of autumn.
Synonyms and how they differ
- catch
- Catch is more general and often means to take hold of something moving; capture suggests using force or effort to take control.
- seize
- Seize is more formal and often implies a sudden, forceful taking; capture can be more gradual or planned.
- record
- Record means to store sounds or images; capture emphasizes getting a good or accurate representation.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: capture or captivate?
capture vs captivate
Captivate means to attract and hold someone's attention in a charming way; capture is more general and can mean physical catching or recording.
Practice
The documentary ______ the beauty of the coral reef in stunning detail.
Choose one answer.
We use 'capture' to mean record or show something accurately, especially in a picture or film. 'Caught' is for physically catching something, 'seized' is forceful taking, and 'held' means kept in place.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “capture”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.