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

Amid his reaction to the blockbuster deal, former Golden State Warriors minority owner and venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya provided some insight about his decision to sell his stake in the NBA franchise. —Chantz Martin, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2025

Why invest public money, when venture capitalists have been vying to back private projects? —Iain Martin, Forbes, 2 Feb. 2025

Adjective

The game continued to be played in China, except for ten years during the Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976 when it was banned, as it was seen as a symbol of capitalist corruption. —Claire Turrell, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Feb. 2025

Although these services and others are currently considered good options in their fields, Rook cautions, the capitalist nature of the tech industry means any recommendations can be fleeting. —Samantha Riedel, Them, 5 Feb. 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