Capitol vs. Capital: Which is Correct?

The word capitol is used to refer to a building or group of buildings in which government functions are carried out. Capital, on the other hand, has a much broader usage: it can be used to mean "chief in importance" when describing anything with a large influence.

Because capitol and capital share the exact same pronunciation, they are often a cause for confusion. While they may look like different regional spellings of the same word, capitol and capital mean entirely different things. Below is an explanation of which word to use in which context, as well as some corresponding examples.

Capitol vs. Capital

The word capitol is used to refer to a building or group of buildings in which government functions are carried out. It commonly appears in the term "Capitol Hill", which is the neighborhood in Washington D.C. which houses many important legislative buildings.

Capital, on the other hand, has a much broader usage: it can be used to mean "chief in importance" when describing anything with a large influence. It can also describe crimes and sentences involving execution. You can also use the word to describe anything that has to do with assets or monetary worth. Finally, capital letters, as opposed to lowercase, are used at the beginning of sentences!

As you may have discerned, the easiest way to discern whether you should use capitol or capital is to ask yourself whether you are using the word for capitol's definition—relating to a government building or buildings—since this is a much more narrow context. If you are using the word for any other definition, capital is probably the correct choice.

Example Sentences

Capitol:

The dome of the state capitol is an iconic symbol of American democracy.
The legislators gathered in the capitol building for an emergency meeting.
She moved to Capitol Hill with dreams of working in the White House.
The capitol was extremely crowded on the day of the inauguration.
The capitol building in Washington, D.C., is an iconic symbol of American democracy.
Protesters gathered outside the state capitol to voice their concerns about proposed legislation.
The capitol was beautifully illuminated at night, making it a breathtaking sight.
The capitol's dome is adorned with a stunning statue of Freedom.
Visitors from around the world come to tour the capitol and learn about U.S. government.
Senators and representatives convene in the capitol to make important decisions for the country.

Capital:

It's difficult to understate the capital importance of personal fulfillment.
The question of capital punishment is a heated debate among many policymakers.
Make sure you use capital letters at the beginning of every sentence.
The filmmakers didn't have enough capital to hire a good actor.
Tokyo is the capital of Japan.
She invested her savings in the stock market to grow her capital.
The company plans to expand its operations by raising additional capital.
Paris is known as the fashion capital of the world.
Access to venture capital is crucial for many startups.
The capital city of France is renowned for its art and culture.

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