Capricious

/kəˈprɪʃəs/

Meaning & Definition

adjective
Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior.
The capricious weather made it difficult to plan the outdoor event.
Changing suddenly and unexpectedly.
Her capricious nature led to unpredictable decisions at work.
Subject to whim; erratic.
The stock market is often viewed as capricious, making it hard to predict future trends.
Impulsive; driven by impulse rather than reason.
He made a capricious purchase, buying an expensive watch on a whim.

Etymology

French capricieux, from Italian capriccioso, from capriccio, meaning 'whim.'

Common Phrases and Expressions

capricious nature:
the tendency to change quickly and unpredictably
capricious decision:
a decision made on a whim without much thought

Related Words

Slang Meanings

flighty
She's so flighty, you never know what she'll do next.
mood swings
His mood swings make him seem really capricious.