No—these terms are not identical. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) describes where pneumonia is acquired: outside the hospital setting. Walking pneumonia is a clinical phrase commonly used for atypical pneumonia, which may start gradually with milder fever and a dry cough, allowing some people to remain active. Walking pneumonia is often a subset of CAP (because it is acquired in the community), but CAP as a whole is not synonymous with walking pneumonia. CAP can be typical bacterial, viral, or atypical—and can also be severe. Keeping the distinction clear helps set appropriate expectations and supports a more accurate treatment strategy.