‘Capability’ Brown
/ˌkeɪpəˌbɪlɪti ˈbraʊn/
/ˌkeɪpəˌbɪlɪti ˈbraʊn/
- real name Lancelot Brown (1716-83) a British gardener and architect who designed the gardens of many great houses and parks, including Blenheim Palace and Chatsworth. He is famous for designing gardens to look natural rather than formal. He was known as ‘Capability’ Brown because he told people that their gardens had ‘great capabilities ’, meaning that they were capable of being greatly improved in design.
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
Check pronunciation:
‘Capability’ Brown