Cape

UK: 'cape': /ˈkeɪp/; 'Cape': /'keɪp/ US: /keɪp/ ,(kāp)

Inflections of 'cape' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

capes

v 3rd person singular

caping

v pres p

caped

v past

caped

v past p

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Cape / keɪp/ noun the Cape ⇒

1. the SW region of South Africa, in Western Cape province
2. See Cape of Good Hope

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

cape¹ /keɪp/   n. [countable]

1. Clothing a piece of clothing without sleeves, fastened at the neck and falling loosely from the shoulders:
   The magician swept his cape forward.

caped, adj. 

cape² /keɪp/   n. [countable]

1. Geography a piece of land extending out into the sea.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

cape¹  (kāp), n., v., caped, cap•ing. 
n. 

1. Clothing a sleeveless garment of various lengths, fastened around the neck and falling loosely from the shoulders, worn separately or attached to a coat or other outer garment.
2. Sport the capa of a bullfighter.

v.t. 

3. Sport (of a matador or capeador during a bullfight) to induce and guide the charge of (a bull) by flourishing a capa.

• Late Latin cappa hooded cloak, cope²
• 1350–1400; Middle English (north); Old English -cāp (see cope²), reinforced in 16th century by Spanish capa

caped, adj. 

cape²  (kāp), n., v., caped, cap•ing, adj. 
n. 

1. a piece of land jutting into the sea or some other large body of water.
2. Place Names the Cape. 
   • Dialect Terms [Northeastern U.S.] See Cape Cod. 
   • See Cape of Good Hope. 
3. capeskin.

v.i. 

4. Nautical, Naval Terms (of a ship) to have good steering qualities.

adj. 

5. (cap.) pertaining to the Cape of Good Hope or to South Africa:
   a Cape diamond.

• Vulgar Latin *capum for Latin caput head
• Old Provencal
• Middle French
• Middle English cap 1350–1400

Synonyms

• 1. point, promontory, headland, spit.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

cape / keɪp/ noun

1. a sleeveless garment like a cloak but usually shorter

Etymology: 16th Century: from French, from Provençal capa, from Late Latin cappa; see cap¹

cape / keɪp/ noun

1. a headland or promontory

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French cap, from Old Provençal, from Latin caput head

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Horn / hɔːn/ noun

1. Cape ⇒
   See Cape Horn