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caper

1 American  
[key-per] / ˈkeɪ pər /

verb (used without object)

  1. to leap or skip about in a sprightly manner; prance; frisk; gambol.

noun

  1. a playful leap or skip.

  2. a prank or trick; harebrained escapade.

    Synonyms:
    antic, stunt

  3. a frivolous, carefree episode or activity.

    Synonyms:
    frolic, spree

  4. Slang. a criminal or illegal act, as a burglary or robbery.

idioms

  1. cut a caper. cut.

caper 2 American  
[key-per] / ˈkeɪ pər /

noun

  1. a spiny shrub, Capparis spinosa, of Mediterranean regions, having roundish leaves and solitary white flowers.

  2. its flower bud, which is pickled and used for garnish or seasoning.

caper 1 British  
/ ˈkeɪpə /

noun

  1. a playful skip or leap

  2. a high-spirited escapade

    1. to skip or jump playfully

    2. to act or behave playfully; frolic

  4. slang a crime, esp an organized robbery

  5. informal a job or occupation

  6. informal a person's behaviour

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (intr) to leap or dance about in a light-hearted manner

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
caper 2 British  
/ ˈkeɪpə /

noun

  1. a spiny trailing Mediterranean capparidaceous shrub, Capparis spinosa, with edible flower buds

  2. any of various similar plants or their edible parts See also bean caper capers

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • caperer noun
  • caperingly adverb
  • uncapering adjective

Etymology

Origin of caper1

First recorded in 1585–95; probably shortening and alteration of capriole ( def. )

Origin of caper2

1350–1400; back formation from capers (taken for plural), Middle English caperes < Latin capparis < Greek kápparis

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He lay down in the dirt and started squalling and screaming and cutting all kinds of capers.

From Literature

Or maybe just revelling in the Canadian capers.

From BBC

A crime caper blended with off‑beat comedy, fans of "Derry Girls" will instantly recognise McGee's love of the absurd and larger‑than‑life characters.

From Barron's

"We don't have the means to pay for her studies," she explained from their home's back courtyard, where young children capered about and two rams watched from an enclosure.

From Barron's

Then scatter olives and capers on top, and let the pan bubble away on the stovetop over high heat until the sauce reduces and the flavors meld.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.