Capital vs. Capitol – Which is Correct?

The words capital and capitol are often confused due to their similar sound and spelling, but they have distinct meanings and uses in the English language. Capital is a versatile word referring to a city that is the seat of government, wealth, resources, or an uppercase letter. Capitol, on the other hand, specifically refers to a building where a legislative body meets.

Capital or Capitol – Which is Correct?

Both “capital” and “capitol” are correct words in American English, but they refer to entirely different concepts. The core distinction lies in their scope: capital is a broad term with multiple meanings, while capitol is a specific noun referring to a type of government building. The confusion often arises because a city that is the capital of a state or country typically houses a capitol building.

This common misunderstanding highlights the importance of distinguishing between the terms, as explored further in Capitol vs. Capital Building.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

A simple trick to distinguish between the two is to remember the “o” in capitol. Think of the dome often found on a capitol building; its round shape can remind you of the “o” in “capitol.” So, the building with the dome (or where the legislature meets) is the “capitol” (with an “o”), and everything else is “capital.”

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Capital	Noun, Adjective	A city that is the seat of government; wealth; an uppercase letter; excellent; punishable by death.	London is the capital of England. Investors seek to raise more capital. Always start a sentence with a capital letter.
Capitol	Noun	A building in which a state legislature or the U.S. Congress meets.	The protest took place on the steps of the State Capitol. The U.S. Capitol building is in Washington, D.C.

How to Use Capital

The word capital is highly versatile and can function as both a noun and an adjective, carrying several distinct meanings. As a noun, it can refer to the primary city of a state or country (e.g., “Paris is the capital of France”), accumulated wealth or assets (e.g., “They need more capital to expand the business”), or an uppercase letter (e.g., “Start your sentence with a capital letter”). As an adjective, it can describe something as excellent, primary, or punishable by death (e.g., “a capital idea,” “capital punishment”). Its usage is generally neutral in tone, adapting to the specific context.

Example 1: Washington, D.C., is the capital of the United States.

Example 2: The venture capitalist invested a significant amount of capital into the startup.

Example 3: Remember to use a capital letter at the beginning of proper nouns.

What are the different forms of Capital?

As a noun, “capital” can be pluralized to capitals when referring to multiple cities or sums of money (though “capital” is often used as a collective noun for money). For example, “The conference hosted representatives from several European capitals.” As an adjective, “capital” does not typically change form for comparative or superlative degrees in most of its common uses (e.g., we don’t say “capitaler” or “capitalest”). Instead, we use “more capital” or “most capital” in specific financial contexts, or “more excellent” for its qualitative meaning.

Etymology of the word Capital

The word “capital” has a rich history, deriving from the Latin word capitalis, meaning “of the head.” This, in turn, comes from caput, meaning “head.” This origin helps explain its various meanings: the “head” city of a country, the “head” or principal sum of money, or the “head” or top letter (uppercase). It entered English in the late 12th century, evolving to encompass its many modern uses.

How to Use Capitol

The word capitol is exclusively a noun and refers specifically to a building where a legislative body meets. This can be the U.S. Congress (the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.) or a state legislature (a state capitol building). It is almost always capitalized when referring to a specific building (e.g., “the State Capitol” or “the U.S. Capitol”). Its usage is formal and precise, indicating an official government structure.

Example 1: The senators convened a special session inside the Capitol building.

Example 2: Visitors can take guided tours of the historic State Capitol in Sacramento.

Example 3: The architect designed the new capitol with a grand dome, reminiscent of classical structures.

What are the different forms of Capitol?

As a noun, “capitol” has a regular plural form: capitols. This is used when referring to multiple such buildings. For instance, “Many states have impressive capitols that serve as architectural landmarks.” It does not have other forms as it is a specific type of building.

Etymology of the word Capitol

“Capitol” also traces its roots back to Latin, specifically to Capitolium, which was the name of the temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill in ancient Rome. This hill was the religious and political center of the city. When the U.S. Congress building was designed, it was deliberately named “Capitol” in a nod to this ancient Roman precedent, symbolizing a center of power and governance. It was first used in English in this specific architectural sense in the late 17th century.

Related Concepts

Understanding a few broader linguistic and grammatical concepts can further clarify the distinction between “capital” and “capitol.”

• Homophones: These are words that sound alike but have different meanings and often different spellings. While “capital” and “capitol” are not perfect homophones for all speakers, their close pronunciation is the primary source of confusion, making them a common example of near-homophones or homographs (words spelled similarly).
• Proper Nouns: “Capitol” often functions as a proper noun when referring to a specific building (e.g., “the U.S. Capitol” or “the State Capitol”). “Capital” can also be part of a proper noun (e.g., “Capital One bank”) but is more frequently used as a common noun or adjective. Proper nouns are always capitalized.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “The Hunger Games” series frequently references the opulent Capitol, the seat of power in Panem, distinct from the districts.
• In “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” much of the drama unfolds within the hallowed halls of the U.S. Capitol building.
• News reports often discuss a country’s capital city, such as “Diplomats met in the nation’s capital to discuss the treaty.”
• Financial news frequently uses “capital” in phrases like “raising venture capital” or “human capital investment.”
• Many historical documents and literary works emphasize the importance of using capital letters correctly in formal writing.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The new legislation was debated intensely on the floor of the State _____.
2. Beijing is the bustling _____ of China.
3. Investors are always looking for new opportunities to deploy their _____.
4. The architect designed the dome for the new _____ building.
5. Always begin a sentence with a _____ letter.

Answer Key

1. Capitol
2. capital
3. capital
4. Capitol
5. capital

Capital Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Metropolis	A very large and densely populated industrial and commercial city (when referring to a capital city).
Funds	A sum of money or other resources set aside for a specific purpose (when referring to financial capital).
Principal	First in order of importance; chief (when used as an adjective, e.g., “principal city”).
Excellent	Extremely good; outstanding (when used as an adjective, e.g., “a capital idea”).

Capitol Synonyms

Synonym / Related Term	Definition
Statehouse	The building in which a state legislature meets (often used interchangeably with state capitol).
Parliament building	A building where a national or regional parliament meets (a broader term that includes capitols).
Legislative building	A general term for a building housing a legislative body.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “Capitol Hill” related to “capitol”?
Yes, “Capitol Hill” refers to the area in Washington, D.C., where the U.S. Capitol building is located. It is often used metonymically to refer to the U.S. Congress itself.

Question 2: Does “capital” always mean money?
No, “capital” has multiple meanings. While it often refers to financial assets or wealth, it can also mean a capital city, an uppercase letter, or (as an adjective) something excellent or primary, or related to a death penalty.

Question 3: Why are both words spelled so similarly?
Both words share a common Latin root, caput, meaning “head.” This shared etymology accounts for their similar spelling, even though their meanings diverged significantly over time, with “capitol” specifically referring to the legislative building inspired by Rome’s Capitoline Hill.

Conclusion

Distinguishing between “capital” and “capitol” is a common challenge, but remembering their core differences is key. “Capital” is the versatile term for a city, money, or an uppercase letter, while “capitol” specifically denotes the building where legislative bodies convene. The “o” in “capitol” as a reminder of a building’s dome is an effective mnemonic. Mastering these distinct terms demonstrates precision in language.

Pro Tip: When writing about government, always double-check whether you are referring to the city (capital) or the building (capitol). Incorrect usage can undermine your credibility and create confusion for your readers.