Capital can be a noun or an adjective. Capital can refer to uppercase letters, accumulated wealth, or the city that serves as the seat of a country’s or state’s government.
- A capitol is a building in which the legislative body of government meets.
- In the United States, the Capitol is a building in Washington in which the US Congress meets.
- Capitol Hill is a metonym for the US Congress, but also a neighborhood in Washington DC.
With only one letter setting them apart from each other, capital and capitol are two easily confused words. The fact that both are often used when talking about politics or the government doesn’t help, either.
Definition of capital
As an adjective, capital can describe uppercase letters, punishments that involve execution, something that relates to wealth, or something that is most serious, important, or influential:
As a noun, capital can refer to an amount of accumulated wealth, an uppercase letter, or a city that serves as the seat of a country’s or state’s government:
Definition of capitol
A capitol is a building in which a legislature operates. In the United States, the Capitol is a building in Washington DC where the United States Congress meets. Some countries like Cuba, Venezuela, and Colombia also have capitols; other countries, like Norway, Canada, and Kenya, call their legislative buildings parliaments:
