capricious
Adjective
Hard difficulty
What does “capricious” mean?
adjective.given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior.
SAT Usage
This term often appears in contexts related to unpredictability, such as discussions of personality traits or weather phenomena. It emphasizes not just randomness but also a whimsical, often irrational nature, distinguishing it from similar words like "fickle," which suggests inconsistency specifically in loyalties or affections.
Common Confusions
Capricious implies sudden and whimsical changes in behavior, while fickle usually suggests inconsistency specifically in loyalties or affections.
Do not choose capricious if the context emphasizes stability or consistency rather than sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior.
Example Sentences
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The capricious weather made planning the outdoor event nearly impossible.