Cap vs. Pill: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 5, 2023
A "cap" typically refers to a covering, often for the head or a part of a container, whereas a "pill" is usually a small, solid dose of medication.
Key Differences
"Cap" and "pill" are nouns that refer to different objects. A cap serves as a cover or a lid, often designed to fit onto the end of something, such as the top of a bottle or the end of a pen. It is often used to protect, cover, or seal objects. For example, a bottle cap is used to prevent the liquid inside from spilling out. It can also refer to a type of headwear. Caps can come in various sizes and designs, depending on their intended use.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Conversely, a pill is a small, solid dosage form of medication intended for oral administration. Pills are usually compact, making them portable and easy to ingest, and they are one of the most common forms of medication delivery. They can contain a range of active pharmaceutical ingredients to address various health conditions and can be available over-the-counter or by prescription.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
The word "cap" can also have several other meanings and uses in different contexts. For instance, it can refer to a limit or a restriction placed on something, such as a spending cap. The versatility of the word "cap" demonstrates its adaptability in the English language.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
On the other hand, "pill" primarily maintains its association with medication and healthcare. Its usage is generally more specific and relates to the field of medicine, focusing on delivering substances intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent a variety of illnesses and conditions.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 23, 2023
It's important to discern the contextual usage of "cap" given its various interpretations, while "pill" requires an understanding of its role in healthcare and medication, emphasizing its importance in treatment and prevention methodologies.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 23, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Usage
Varied, used as coverings, limits, or types of headwear.
Primarily used in the context of medication.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Material
Made from a variety of materials like plastic or fabric.
Composed of active and inactive pharmaceutical ingredients.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Field
Can relate to various fields like fashion or packaging.
Typically associated with healthcare and medicine.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 23, 2023
Grammatical Use
Can be used as a noun or verb, depending on the context.
Generally used as a noun.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
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Cap and Pill Definitions
Pill
A small, solid dosage of medication.
The doctor prescribed a pill for my headache.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Pill
A small, rounded or oval object.
The pillow had a small pill on the surface.
Harlon Moss
Sep 23, 2023
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Pill
To form into small, rounded or oval objects.
The fabric started to pill after several washes.
Janet White
Sep 23, 2023
Cap
A usually soft and close-fitting head covering, either having no brim or with a visor.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Pill
A small pellet or tablet of medicine, often coated, taken by swallowing whole or by chewing.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
A special head covering worn to indicate rank, occupation, or membership in a particular group
A cardinal's cap.
A sailor's cap.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Pill
(Slang) Something, such as a baseball, that resembles a pellet of medicine.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
A protective cover or seal, especially one that closes off an end or a tip
A bottle cap.
A 35-millimeter lens cap.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Pill
A small, usually round or cylindrical object designed for easy swallowing, usually containing some sort of medication.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Pill
(strictly) Such an object that is of solid constitution (usually of compressed, bonded powder) rather than a capsule (with a shell containing loose powder or liquid).
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Pill
Contraceptive medication, usually in the form of a pill to be taken by a woman; an oral contraceptive pill.
Jane went on the pill when she left for college.
She got pregnant one month after going off the pill.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Pill
Something offensive, unpleasant or nauseous which must be accepted or endured.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
(Sports) An appearance by a player in an international soccer game, traditionally rewarded with a hat.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Pill
(textile) A small piece of any substance, for example a ball of fibres formed on the surface of a textile fabric by rubbing. Colloquially known as a bobble, fuzzball, or lint ball.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Pill
(GUI) A rounded rectangle indicating the tag or category that an item belongs to.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
To award a special cap to as a sign of rank or achievement
Capped the new women nurses at graduation.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Pill
To form into the shape of a pill.
Pilling is a skill rarely used by modern pharmacists.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
To follow with something better; surpass or outdo
Capped his last trick with a disappearing act that brought the audience to its feet.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Pill
(transitive) To medicate with pills.
She pills herself with all sorts of herbal medicines.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
A close-fitting hat, either brimless or peaked.
The children were all wearing caps to protect them from the sun.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
A protective cover or seal.
He took the cap off the bottle and splashed himself with some cologne.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Pill
A medicine in the form of a little ball, or small round mass, to be swallowed whole.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
An artificial upper limit or ceiling.
We should put a cap on the salaries, to keep them under control.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Pill
Figuratively, something offensive or nauseous which must be accepted or endured.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
(toy) A small amount of percussive explosive in a paper strip or plastic cup for use in a toy gun.
Billy spent all morning firing caps with his friends, re-enacting storming the beach at Normandy.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
A small explosive device used to detonate a larger charge of explosives.
He wired the cap to the bundle of dynamite, then detonated it remotely.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Pill
To peel; to make by removing the skin.
[Jacob] pilled white streaks . . . in the rods.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Pill
To rob; to plunder; to pillage; to peel. See Peel, to plunder.
Pillers and robbers were come in to the field to pill and to rob.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Pill
Something unpleasant or offensive that must be tolerated or endured;
His competitor's success was a bitter pill to take
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
(zoology) The whole top of the head of a bird from the base of the bill to the nape of the neck.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Pill
A contraceptive in the form of a pill containing estrogen and progestin to inhibit ovulation and so prevent conception
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
(architecture) The uppermost of any assemblage of parts.
The cap of column, door, etc.; a capital, coping, cornice, lintel, or plate
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Pill
Something unpleasant that one must accept.
Losing the game was a bitter pill to swallow.
Sara Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
Cap
(nautical) A collar of iron or wood used in joining spars, as the mast and the topmast, the bowsprit and the jib boom; also, a covering of tarred canvas at the end of a rope.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
(electronics) A capacitor.
Parasitic caps.
I had to replace the caps in that thing to get it to work again.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
(colloquial) A recording or screenshot.
Anyone have a cap of the games last night?
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
(transitive) To make something even more wonderful at the end.
That really capped my day.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
To shoot (someone) with a firearm.
If he don't get outta my hood, I'm gonna cap his ass.
In a school shooting, where some kid caps a bunch of other kids, where did he get the weapon? From a family member, probably their gun cabinet.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
To select to play for the national team.
Peter Shilton is the most capped English footballer.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
The top, or uppermost part; the chief.
Thou art the cap of all the fools alive.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
A respectful uncovering of the head.
He that will give a cap and make a leg in thanks.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
The whole top of the head of a bird from the base of the bill to the nape of the neck.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
To cover with a cap, or as with a cap; to provide with a cap or cover; to cover the top or end of; to place a cap upon the proper part of; as, to cap a post; to cap a gun.
The bones next the joint are capped with a smooth cartilaginous substance.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
To complete; to crown; to bring to the highest point or consummation; as, to cap the climax of absurdity.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
To salute by removing the cap.
Tom . . . capped the proctor with the profoundest of bows.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
To match; to mate in contest; to furnish a complement to; as, to cap text; to cap proverbs.
Now I have him under girdle I'll cap verses with him to the end of the chapter.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
A mechanical or electrical explosive device or a small amount of explosive; can be used to initiate the reaction of a disrupting explosive
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
A fruiting structure resembling an umbrella that forms the top of a stalked fleshy fungus such as a mushroom
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
Cap
Restrict the number or amount of;
We had to cap the number of people we can accept into our club
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 21, 2023
FAQs
Can the word cap refer to headwear?
Yes, a cap can refer to a type of headwear.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Can a cap serve as a limit?
Yes, cap can refer to a limit or restriction, like a spending cap.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Is a pill always a form of medication?
Primarily, but "pill" can also metaphorically refer to an unpleasant situation one must accept.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Are pills only available by prescription?
No, some pills are available over-the-counter.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Can a pill be any shape?
Pills are typically round or oval but can come in various shapes.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Is taking a pill the only way to administer medication?
No, medication can also be administered through injections, liquids, creams, etc.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 23, 2023
Does cap have different meanings in different contexts?
Yes, cap can have varied meanings depending on the context.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Is a cap always removable?
Typically, but some caps are designed to be permanently sealed.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Can you break a pill into halves?
Some pills can be split, but it's essential to consult a healthcare provider first.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Can a cap be made of fabric?
Yes, like a baseball cap, it can be made of fabric.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Can the term cap refer to a decorative element?
Yes, cap can refer to a decorative top or cover on objects like fence posts.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Are all pills designed to treat illnesses?
No, some pills are supplements or vitamins and don’t treat illnesses.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Can a cap protect the contents of a container?
Yes, a cap can protect and seal the contents of a container.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 23, 2023
Can pill refer to a contraceptive method?
Yes, "the pill" often refers to a contraceptive method.
Janet White
Sep 23, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
