Cool MateCapitalism
UK /["/ˈkæpɪtəlɪzəm/"]/US /["/ˈkæpɪtəlɪzəm/"]/
Definition
an economic system in which a country’s businesses and industry are controlled and run for profit by private owners rather than by the government
In simple words: An economic system where businesses are privately owned and run for profit.
Examples
- the growth of industrial capitalism in the West
- They predicted the fall of world capitalism.
- He was one of the leading advocates of laissez-faire capitalism.
- She deplored unbridled capitalism as much as communism.
- a protest against global capitalism
- a study of the development of agriculture under capitalism
Usage notes
Used in discussions about economics, politics, and society. More common in academic and formal contexts than in casual conversations.
Grammar pattern
standalone noun
Memory hint
Think of 'capital' — imagine a city where businesses thrive like capitalizing on opportunities.
Collocations
- advanced
- contemporary
- late
- destroy
- overthrow
- replace
- under capitalism
- the advance of capitalism
- the rise of capitalism
- the fall of capitalism
Synonyms
- free enterprise
- market economy
- private enterprise
- capitalist system
Antonyms
- socialism
- communism
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'capital' referring to money or assets.
- Overgeneralizing to apply to all economic systems.
- Incorrectly spelling as 'captilism'.