Capillary

/kəˈpɪl.ə.ɹi/ adj, noun

adj, noun ·Moderate ·College level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: Any of the small blood vessels (from 5 to 10 micrometres/micrometers (μm) in diameter) that connect arteries to veins (They are the smallest blood vessels in the body: they convey blood between the arterioles and venules).
  • Grammar: capillary is listed as adj, noun.
  • Nearest alternatives: capillary vessel, aorta, arterial, arteriole.
  • Useful contrasts: arterial, artery, gravity-driven.
  • Usage evidence: Incidentally, that the gills of fish are bright red is because there are many 'capillary vessels' collected there, the same as for lungs.

How to use "capillary"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "capillary" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "capillary" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "capillary" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "capillary" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "capillary" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "capillary vessel" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "capillary", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    Any of the small blood vessels (from 5 to 10 micrometres/micrometers (μm) in diameter) that connect arteries to veins (They are the smallest blood vessels in the body: they convey blood between the arterioles and venules).
  2. 2
    a tube of small internal diameter; holds liquid by capillary action wordnet
  3. 3
    A tube or channel having a very small internal diameter, through which liquid can rise or be drawn by capillary action.
  4. 4
    any of the minute blood vessels connecting arterioles with venules wordnet
Adjective
  1. 1
    Resembling or pertaining to hair, especially in slenderness or fineness.
  2. 2
    Of or pertaining to a narrow tube.
  3. 3
    Of, relating to, or caused by surface tension.
  4. 4
    Of or relating to capillaries in the body or to capillary action.
Adjective
  1. 1
    long and slender with a very small internal diameter wordnet
  2. 2
    of or relating to hair wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
capillary vesselaortaarterialarteriolearteryblood vessel

Example

"Incidentally, that the gills of fish are bright red is because there are many 'capillary vessels' collected there, the same as for lungs."

Common questions

What does "capillary" mean?

Any of the small blood vessels (from 5 to 10 micrometres/micrometers (μm) in diameter) that connect arteries to veins (They are the smallest blood vessels in the body: they convey blood between the arterioles and venules).

What is a synonym for "capillary"?

Common synonyms include: capillary vessel, aorta, arterial, arteriole, artery, blood vessel.

How do you use "capillary" in a sentence?

Incidentally, that the gills of fish are bright red is because there are many 'capillary vessels' collected there, the same as for lungs.

How do you pronounce "capillary"?

Pronounced /kəˈpɪl.ə.ɹi/.

Etymology

From Latin capillāris (“pertaining to the hair”), from capillus (“the hair, properly of the head”), from caput (“head”).

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