WordGarden.iocaper
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /kˈeɪpə/
US
- /ˈkeɪpər/
Meanings
Noun
a small pickled flower bud used to flavor food
(informal)an amusing or daring escapade, often involving a prank or crime
a playful skip or leap
More meaningsFewer meanings
the shrub that produces caper buds and berries
Verb
to skip or leap about playfully
Beyond the definition
A caper isn't just any old adventure; it's a playful, often slightly naughty undertaking. Think of a mischievous child pulling a harmless prank—that’s a caper. It suggests lightheartedness and a bit of daring. It can involve bending the rules, but the tone is usually more “cheeky fun” than genuine harm. The word often evokes images of classic movies with charming rogues and clever schemes: a spur-of-the-moment road trip, a comic misunderstanding, or a carefully planned heist that reads like entertainment more than menace.
In the kitchen, though, you’ll also meet capers as a small, tangy ingredient—pickled flower buds that brighten sauces, salads, and fish dishes. Context usually makes it obvious whether someone is talking about a mischievous adventure or something you’d sprinkle into dinner.
The word "caper" describes a playful, mischievous adventure—often involving a bit of trickery or spirited behavior. It's not usually something serious or dangerous, but rather a lighthearted escapade undertaken for fun or excitement. There’s also an older, more literal sense: to caper is to skip or dance about in a lively way, as if you simply can’t keep still.
The two ideas fit together nicely: a caper can be a frolic in motion, or a frolic as a plot. (Even the history of the word is tied to leaping and frisking, sometimes traced back to the Latin word for “goat.”)
Think of a caper as more than just an adventure; it has a certain flair to it. It suggests cleverness, spontaneity, and a willingness to take risks (though usually small ones). A jewel theft in a comedy, a clever con that goes sideways, or a fast-talking scheme with unexpected twists can all be described as a caper—especially when the tone is breezy rather than grim. This is why a specific subgenre of crime fiction and film is known as the "caper story."
In a completely different context, a "caper" is also the pickled flower bud of the Mediterranean caper bush—a salty, tangy ingredient used to zest up various dishes! Whether you are talking about a culinary treat, a physical leap, or a mischievous plot, a caper is almost always something that adds a bit of flavor and excitement to the day. So if someone is up to no good in a fun and lighthearted way, chances are they're involved in a caper—a spirited adventure that's sure to bring a smile.
Examples
- 1
Playful movement
The children capered around the kitchen when they heard the trip was still on.
- 2
Crime story
The film follows two brothers through a badly planned art-theft caper.
- 3
Cooking
She stirred capers into the sauce and served it with grilled fish.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- capernounverb
Forms
- caperspluralnounverb
- capering-ing formverbnoun
- caperedpast tenseverbnoun