Definition
Capacity for loss is the financial ability to absorb an investment loss without undermining essential spending, obligations, or important future goals.
In market context
Capacity is different from willingness to take risk: a person may feel comfortable with volatility yet be unable to afford a large or prolonged loss. Income stability, emergency reserves, debt, dependants, time horizon, and the purpose of the funds can all affect it. Leveraged, concentrated, illiquid, or locked products can create losses or access constraints beyond what a simple preference questionnaire captures.
Source
Use the primary source for fuller regulatory or market context.
