caprice
a sudden whim or unpredictable change of mind
Root
- capric / caprice: whim, sudden change, or unpredictable impulse
Other words with the capric / caprice root
- capricious: given to sudden changes of mood
Caprice is a sudden whim: a mood or choice that jumps without warning.
The schedule changed by caprice, not by any clear rule.
Caprice is the clean doorway into capricious. Think of a decision that does not follow reason, plan, or evidence. It jumps because the mood jumped.
That distinction matters. Ordinary change can be wise. Capricious change makes people nervous because no one can find the rule behind it.