caprice

[ kuh-prees ]
/ kəˈpris /

noun

a sudden, unpredictable change, as of one's mind or the weather.
a tendency to change one's mind without apparent or adequate motive; whimsicality; capriciousness: With the caprice of a despotic king, he alternated between kindness and cruelty.

Origin of caprice

1660–70; < French < Italian; see capriccio

Example sentences from the Web for caprice

British Dictionary definitions for caprice

caprice
/ (kəˈpriːs) /

noun

a sudden or unpredictable change of attitude, behaviour, etc; whim
a tendency to such changes
another word for capriccio

Word Origin for caprice

C17: from French, from Italian capriccio a shiver, caprice, from capo head + riccio hedgehog, suggesting a convulsive shudder in which the hair stood on end like a hedgehog's spines; meaning also influenced by Italian capra goat, by folk etymology