Words / B2

k-uh-PAS-uh-tee/kəˈpæsəti/

Capacity is how much something can hold or produce, or a person’s ability to do something: a hall with a capacity of two hundred, working at full capacity, her capacity for hard work. Size is everyday for space; ability is everyday for people. In a personal capacity means not as an official. In speech, how many it holds or what she can manage is enough. Contrast capability (what it can do) when both appear in a tech brief.

Meaning

The amount something can hold or produce, or a person’s ability to do something.

Examples

• “The hall has a capacity of two hundred.”
• “The hall was filled to capacity for the concert.”
• “In his capacity as governor, he signed the letter; as a parent, he disagreed.”

Good to know

How much it can hold / produce, or a person’s ability. full capacity. in a personal/official capacity. Everyday: size / ability. Close: capability (what it can do).

Near in meaning

volume

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