capitalist

[ kap-i-tl-ist ]

noun

1. a person who has capital, especially extensive capital, invested in business enterprises.
2. an advocate of capitalism.
3. a very wealthy person.

capitalist

/ ˈkæpɪtəlɪst /

noun

1. a person who owns capital, esp capital invested in a business
2. politics a supporter of capitalism
3. informal.
   a rich person

adjective

1. of or relating to capital, capitalists, or capitalism

Derived Forms

• ˌcapitalˈistic, adjective

Other Words From

• anti·capi·tal·ist noun adjective
• non·capi·tal·ist noun
• pre·capi·tal·ist noun adjective
• pro·capi·tal·ist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of capitalist¹

First recorded in 1785–95; capital ¹ + -ist

Example Sentences

Noah Kass, a therapist based in New York City, told me that the current dating crisis wasn’t created by big tech companies per se, but he thinks that “they are exploiting people’s insecurities and self-esteem, feeding into an addictive, gamified culture within a capitalist, winner-takes-all society.”

From Slate

Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, the only leading candidate running as an old-school progressive, came in third after being eliminated from the running with 21.6% of first-choice votes, and venture capitalist Mark Farrell, a moderate, trailed in fourth place.

From Los Angeles Times

The early returns showed Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, the only candidate in the race running as an old-school progressive, with 21% of first-choice votes; venture capitalist Mark Farrell, a moderate, with 18% of first-choice votes; and Supervisor Ahsha Safaí trailing with 3% of first-choice votes.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m a capitalist. I believe in free and fair markets,” she told business leaders in Pittsburgh.

From Los Angeles Times

In modern capitalist societies, an occupation associated with high income and the symbols that money can buy, like a suburban single-family home or an annual summer vacation, creates an aura of respectability and even virtue.

From Salon

Related Words

• banker
• entrepreneur
• financier