Are you visiting the capital or capitol? These words (and homophones) sound the same and are a single letter off. Still, they're not the same, so make sure to use them correctly (in writing).
Capital vs. capitol: what's the difference?
Capital (with an "a") is the much more common word between the two, and it's probably the spelling you're looking for.
- As a noun, capital can mean financial assets (e.g., wealth, property or money), the most important city or town in a country where the government is (e.g., Stockholm is the capital city of Sweden), or uppercase letters (e.g., "A", "B").
- As an adjective, capital describes an offence or crime as liable to the death penalty; i.e., "capital punishment". It can also mean an exclamation similar to "splendid" or "wonderful!" (the latter use is somewhat dated).
Capitol is a noun that refers to the building (or buildings) where politicians meet to work on new laws and policies.
Note that when "capitol" is in capital letters, as in the Capitol building or Capitol Hill, it's used as a proper noun to mention a specific building or place; i.e., the building where the US Congress meets in Washington DC to discuss new laws.
👍🏼 Usage Note
✓ Tokyo is the bustling capital of Japan.
✓ Protesters gathered on the steps of the capitol building.
✗ The senator works in the nation's capital building.
✗ She needed to raise more capitol for her new business.
Definitions and usage
Capital (noun/adjective)
As a noun: financial assets, the most important city where the government is, or uppercase letters. As an adjective: describing an offence as liable to the death penalty (capital punishment).
City:
• Cairo is the capital city of Egypt.
• Los Angeles is the movie capital of the world.
• Washington, D.C., is the capital of the United States.
Uppercase letters:
• Please write using capital letters.
Financial assets:
• Proper allocation of capital is crucial for financial stability.
• The company decided to raise capital by issuing new shares.
Capitol (noun)
A building (or buildings) where politicians meet to work on new laws and policies. When capitalized as "Capitol," it refers specifically to the US Congress building in Washington, D.C.
• Security measures have been heightened around the capitol in response to recent threats.
• The Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., is an iconic symbol of American democracy.
• The state's capitol building has a rich history and is considered a historic landmark.
Phrases with "capital"
Synonyms & nearby words
Synonyms for capitol
"capital" vs. "Capitol," associate "capital" (with an 'a') with the city, and "Capitol" (with an 'o') with the building.
Word origins
Capital: Early 13c., "of or pertaining to the head," from Old French capital, from Latin capitalis "of the head," hence "capital, chief, first," from caput (genitive capitis) "head".
Capitol: We see the word capitol used with a capital letter in the term Capitol Hill, which is a famous building that houses the seat of the U.S. government in Washington D.C. (the one with the rounded dome on top). Interestingly, Capitol Hill gets its name from the Latin word, Capitolium, which was the name of the temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill in ancient Rome.
Practice quiz: Capital or Capitol?
Washington, D.C., is the ______ of the United States.
The lawmakers met in the state ______ to pass new laws.
Austin is the ______ of Texas.
The ______ building is open for tours on weekdays.
A city designated as the seat of government is called a ______.
FAQs
What is the main difference?
When do I use capital?
When do I use capitol?
Can "capital" refer to a building?
Can "capitol" refer to money?
Advertisement
.webp&w=3840&q=75)