capitalist

1 of 2

noun

cap·​i·​tal·​ist ˈka-pə-tə-list 

ˈkap-tə-

1

: a person who has capital especially invested in business

industrial capitalists

broadly : a person of wealth : plutocrat

Charitable organizations often seek help from capitalists.

2

: a person who favors capitalism

capitalist

2 of 2

adjective

variants or capitalistic

ˌka-pə-tə-ˈli-stik 

ˌkap-tə-

1

: owning capital

the capitalist class

2

a

: practicing or advocating capitalism

capitalist nations

b

: marked by capitalism

capitalist period of history

capitalistically

ˌka-pə-tə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē 

ˌkap-tə-

adverb

Synonyms

Noun

• Croesus
• deep pocket
• fat cat
• have
• money
• moneybags
• plutocrat
• silk stocking

Examples of capitalist in a Sentence

Noun

capitalists who lost everything in the '29 Crash

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Answering this question has been a core aspect of my work over the last decade as a venture capitalist, and my book Out-Innovate (HBR). —Alex Lazarow, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

Resources might be getting scarcer as the world’s population soars past sustainability tipping points, but the eyes of capitalists will never be cast anywhere else but on their own balance sheets. —Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025

Adjective

If the successful functioning of the capitalist system depends on matching supply to demand, what’s clear is that what employers are supplying in the way of job opportunities is no longer in demand. —Lauren Coulman, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

Perhaps capitalist Trump sees the financial damage the invasives could wreak on Midwestern states, as he’s promised the feds will write a check for their fair share. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably borrowed from French capitaliste "person possessing capital," from capital capital entry 2 + -iste -ist entry 1

Adjective

capital entry 2 + -ist entry 2, after capitalist entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1774, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing capitalist

• pre-capitalist

Kids Definition

capitalist

noun

cap·​i·​tal·​ist

ˈkap-ət-ᵊl-əst,

ˈkap-tᵊl-

1

: a person who has capital and especially business capital

2

: a person who supports capitalism