capricious
Etymology

Borrowed from French capricieux, from Italian capriccioso, from capriccio.

Pronunciation
  • IPA: /kəˈpɹɪʃəs/
Adjective

capricious

  1. Impulsive and unpredictable; determined by chance, impulse, or whim.
    Synonyms: arbitrary, whimsical, fickle
    Antonyms: conscientious, rigorous
    I almost died in a capricious winter storm.
    Stringent rulers are unlikely to act capriciously.
    • c. 1598–1600 (date written), William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, [Act III, scene iii], page 198 ↗:
      I am heere with thee, and thy Goats, as the moſt capricious Poet honeſt Ouid was among Gothes.
    • 1876 June, Henry James, Jr., chapter I, in The American, Boston, Mass.: James R[ipley] Osgood and Company, […], published 5 May 1877, →OCLC ↗, page 11 ↗:
      "Capricious?" And at this monsieur began to laugh. "Oh no, I'm not capricious. I am very faithful. I am very constant. Comprenez?"
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