Capricious

Capricious is an adjective used to describe behavior, decisions, or modes of operation that are sudden, unpredictable, and driven by whims rather than by stable reasoning. A capricious person may change plans without warning, while capricious policies or rules may shift abruptly, undermining consistency. The term often carries a negative or critical tone, suggesting unreliability or inconsistency, though in some contexts it can simply denote playfully whimsical behavior.

Etymology: The word derives from the Italian capriccio “whim, sudden turn of mind” and the French capricieux, both related to a notion of caprice. The exact linguistic path is unclear, but the core idea centers on an impulsive, capricious mood rather than steady deliberation.

Usage: Capricious is commonly applied to people, weather, fashion, or decisions. For example, a capricious boss might reverse a project plan from day to day; capricious weather can swing from sun to storm with little notice. In literature, it can describe characters who act on unpredictable impulses, creating tension or humor. In legal or policy contexts, the phrase “arbitrary and capricious” signals a standard that requires reasoned, non-random justification for administrative decisions.

See also: caprice, whimsy, fickleness, volatility, capriciousness; related noun caprice; antonyms include stable, constant, predictable.