capo

¹ American  

[key-poh] / ˈkeɪ poʊ /

noun

plural

capos

1. any of various devices for a guitar, lute, banjo, etc., that when clamped or screwed down across the strings at a given fret will raise each string a corresponding number of half tones.

2. the nut of a guitar, lute, banjo, etc.

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capo ² American  

[kah-poh, kap-oh] / ˈkɑ poʊ, ˈkæp oʊ /

noun

plural

capos

1. the chief of a branch of the Mafia.

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capo ¹ British  

/ ˈkeɪpəʊ, ˈkæpəʊ /

noun

1. Also called: capo tasto.  a device fitted across all the strings of a guitar, banjo, etc, so as to raise the pitch of each string simultaneously Compare barré

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capo ² British  

/ ˈkapo, ˈkæpəʊ /

noun

1. the presumed title of a Mafia leader

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Etymology

Origin of capo¹

1875–80; < Italian, shortening of capotasto capotasto

Origin of capo²

1960–65; < Italian: head, leader < Vulgar Latin *capum for Latin caput; chief

Example Sentences

Soprano Hilary Cronin was a dazzling, lyrical Iole, her precisely calibrated da capo arias capturing the princess’s serene acceptance of her lot and her consoling, thoughtful presence—the antithesis of the disturbed Dejanira.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Sandstrom, a former capo - a fan who leads others in chants - of two Hammarby ultras groups was at a women's game with his young daughter.

From BBC • Nov. 11, 2024

These witnesses and tape recordings confirm that the orders came from the top - from the boss or the capo, or the consigliere of the family.

From Salon • Aug. 1, 2023

It’s also Sheridan’s latest action-hero reclamation project: Sylvester Stallone stars as a Mafia capo sent to oversee operations in the foreign territory of Tulsa, Okla. Paramount+, Nov. 13.

From New York Times • Sep. 8, 2022

For example, if you moved counterclockwise by three keys, put the capo at the third fret.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones