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Word

capitalist

noun C1
/ˈkæp.ɪ.tə.lɪst/

Meanings

noun

a person who invests money in businesses or owns assets in order to make a profit

capitalist: a person who invests money in businesses or owns assets in order to make a profit
noun

a person who supports capitalism as an economic system

capitalist: a person who supports capitalism as an economic system

Definition

A capitalist is a person who invests money in businesses to make a profit, or someone who supports capitalism.

A capitalist is typically someone who owns capital such as money or assets and uses it to invest in companies, expecting a return. The word can also describe a person who favors an economic system based on private ownership and market competition. In everyday use, it often refers to investors, business owners, or people associated with large-scale enterprise.

Examples

  • The journalist portrayed the capitalist as a patient planner rather than a ruthless gambler.
  • I met a capitalist at the conference who insisted that long-term innovation matters more than quick wins.
  • She criticized the capitalist for ignoring the environmental costs embedded in the supply chain.
  • They invited a capitalist to the startup pitch night to challenge their assumptions about growth and risk.

Common mistake

Learners often use capitalist when they mean capital (money or assets) or capitalistic (an adjective), so check whether you need a person, a thing, or a description.