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When something is aberrant, it is unusual, not socially acceptable, or a departure from the norm.
If you describe something as ambiguous, you mean that it is unclear or confusing because it can be understood in multiple ways.
If you describe a decision, rule, or plan as arbitrary, you think that it was decided without any thought, standard, or system to guide it; therefore, it can seem unfair.
Something that is desultory is done in a way that is unplanned, disorganized, and without direction.
Entropy is the lack of organization or measure of disorder currently in a system.
Something ephemeral, such as some insects or a sunset, lasts for only a short time or has a very short lifespan.
When people equivocate, they avoid making a clear statement; they are deliberately vague in order to avoid giving a direct answer to a question.
Erratic behavior is irregular, unpredictable, and unusual.
A foible is a small weakness or character flaw in a person that is considered somewhat unusual; that said, it is also viewed as unimportant and harmless.
Something that is immutable is always the same and cannot be changed.
Someone who is impulsive tends to do things without thinking about them ahead of time; therefore, their actions can be unpredictable.
Someone who is irresolute is unable to decide what to do.
A mercurial person’s mind or mood changes often, quickly, and unpredictably.
An organization or system that is a monolith is extremely large; additionally, it is unwilling or very slow to change or adopt something new.
Something that is notional exists only as an idea or in theory—not in reality.
Something is opaque if it is either difficult to understand or is not transparent.
Someone who is pertinacious is determined to continue doing something rather than giving up—even when it gets very difficult.
Spontaneity is freedom to act when and how you want to, often in an unpredictable or unplanned way.
If you are stalwart, you are dependable, sturdy, and firm in what you do or promise.
Stasis is a state of little change over a long period of time, or a condition of inactivity caused by an equal balance of opposing forces.
If you are steadfast, you have a firm belief in your actions or opinions and refuse to give up or change them because you are certain that you are doing the right thing.
If you are temperamental, you tend to become easily upset and experience unpredictable mood swings.
Something that has the quality of transience lasts for only a short time or is constantly changing.
Something that undulates moves or is shaped like waves with gentle curves that smoothly rise and fall.
When someone vacillates, they go back and forth about a choice or opinion, unable to make a firm decision.
A vagary is an unpredictable or unexpected change in action or behavior.
If you waver, you cannot decide between two things because you have serious doubts about which choice is better.
A whimsical idea or person is slightly strange, unusual, and amusing rather than serious and practical.
Adj.
capricious
kuh-PRI-shuhs
Context
Steve’s girlfriend Adrienne changed her opinions and choices every moment of the day in a capricious and unpredictable way. Such capricious and shifting expressions of thought confused Steve, so he was never exactly sure what Adrienne wanted to do. Her inconstant, sudden, and capricious moods were also harmful to Steve’s peace of mind . . . and ultimately to their relationship.
Quiz:Try again!
How does someone who is capricious act?
They act in an unpredictable way much of the time, keeping others guessing.
They don’t often tell other people how they are feeling because they consider that information private.
They often don’t take life or their obligations seriously, although once in a while they might.
Rice Precious or Cheap? Markets are very capricious, seeming to rise and fall at a moment's notice; rice could be precious today, cheap tomorrow, so its price is capricious.
Examples
"Interim chiefs really don’t make those kinds of decisions, but this was an arbitrary, capricious kind of situation that has sent shock waves throughout the police force," Barry said.
—
The Washington Post
There is nothing capricious in nature, and the implanting of a desire indicates that its gratification is in the constitution of the creature that feels it.
—
Ralph Waldo Emerson, nineteenth century American writer and philosopher
The Brazilian formula is to crowd out enterprise or drive it underground with excessive spending and taxation, then to harass it further with capricious, nonsensical regulation.
—
The Economist
Someone who acts capriciously is as unpredictable as the direction in which a “goat” may leap. This word could also come from the Latin word caput: “head.” A capricious person can unpredictably nod their head either up or down.
Word Theater
Cosmos The capricious gods of yore were rather unpredictable.
The panel shows a small video clip of either the word in actual use or a scene that represents the meaning of a word. This not only breaks up the monotony of studying words but also provides another avenue to strengthen word meaning. Enjoy!
Word Constellation
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Related Words
aberrant ·
ambiguous ·
arbitrary ·
desultory ·
entropy ·
ephemeral ·
equivocate ·
erratic+ ·
foible ·
impulsive+ ·
irresolute ·
mercurial ·
notional ·
opaque ·
spontaneity+ ·
temperamental+ ·
transience ·
undulate ·
vacillate ·
vagary ·
waver ·
whimsical ·
immutable ·
monolith ·
pertinacious ·
stalwart+ ·
stasis ·
steadfast ·
Similar sense
Opposite sense
Word Variants
caprice
n
→
a sudden change in behavior or of mind
The section lists important variants and alternate definitions of the headword. Knowing variants will often help you both remember and understand the word. Not all variants are listed - only the ones we think that are important for you to know.
