English words starting with C

Goods that are illegally imported or exported.

the practice of preventing a woman from becoming pregnant; the methods used to do this

designed to prevent pregnancy

A formal written or spoken agreement that is legally binding.

reduced in size or drawn together

Having the ability to contract or cause contraction, especially of muscle tissue.

The ability of a muscle or other living tissue to contract or become shorter and tighter.

Becoming smaller or shorter

the process of becoming smaller or shorter

relating to or causing a reduction in economic activity, especially as a result of government policy.

a person or company that agrees to do work or provide goods for another party, especially in construction.

Relating to or contained within a formal agreement.

in a way that is stated or agreed in a contract

A condition in which a muscle, tendon, or other tissue becomes permanently tightened, shortened, or stiff, often after injury or due to disease, leading to restricted movement of a joint.

To say the opposite of what someone else has said, or to be so different from another fact or statement that one of them must be wrong.

A combination of statements, ideas, or features which are opposed to one another.

containing or showing a complete opposition between different things; being opposite and unable to both be true at the same time

A distinction made by contrasting the different qualities of two things.

a white line of condensed water vapor in the sky that forms behind an aircraft, caused by the heat from its engines.

to make (a particular treatment or procedure) inadvisable because of a specific condition or risk in a patient.

A specific situation, condition, or factor that makes a particular treatment or procedure inadvisable because it is likely to be harmful or ineffective.

Relating to or affecting the opposite side of the body.

The lowest female singing voice or a singer with such a voice.

A machine or device that looks strange, complicated, and often badly made or impractical.

Relating to or in the style of counterpoint (the technique of combining different melodic lines in a musical composition).

a person who opposes or rejects popular opinion, especially in stock market investing or in matters of general belief.

In a way that is opposite in nature, direction, or meaning.

the quality or state of being deliberately contrary and difficult to deal with.

in the opposite way or direction.

Opposite in nature, direction, or meaning

a noticeable difference between people or things

Set in opposition in order to show or emphasize differences.

Differing strikingly when set or considered together.

showing the differences between two or more things, especially in order to make their different qualities clear

Having or showing a sharp difference between light and dark areas or between different colours.

To do something that is not allowed by a law, rule, or agreement.

An action that breaks a law, rule, or agreement.

an unexpected and unfortunate occurrence; a minor dispute or disagreement.

To give something, especially money or goods, to help achieve or provide something.

Giving something, such as money, help, or ideas, to a common fund or effort.

The act of giving something, especially money or time, to help achieve or provide something.

A person or thing that contributes something, especially money, help, or ideas.

Playing a part in bringing something about.

feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt.

in a way that shows you are very sorry and ashamed for something bad you have done

The state of feeling very sorry and guilty for something bad you have done.

a clever or complex device or plan, often seen as artificial or unnatural.

to manage to do something difficult, or to make something happen, by using your intelligence or by tricking people

Deliberately created rather than arising naturally or spontaneously; artificial and often unconvincing.

To have power over, command, or direct something or someone.

In an experiment, the group that does not receive the treatment or intervention being tested, used as a benchmark to measure the effects on the test group.

The quality or condition of being controllable; the extent to which something can be controlled or regulated.

able to be controlled or managed.

Carefully restrained or regulated; not impulsive or extreme.

a person or thing that directs or regulates something

Having the power to control or direct something or someone.

Causing or likely to cause public disagreement and debate.

in a way that causes disagreement or discussion

public discussion and argument about something that many people strongly disagree about, disapprove of, or are shocked by

To argue about or discuss (a subject) in a formal or oppositional way.

stubbornly or willfully disobedient to authority.

stubborn refusal to obey or comply with authority, especially a court order.

Insolent or insulting language or treatment.

A region of injured tissue or skin in which blood capillaries have been ruptured; a bruise.

A confusing and difficult problem or question, often presented as a riddle or puzzle.

To gradually recover health and strength after an illness or medical treatment.

the period or process of gradually recovering health and strength after an illness or medical treatment.

recovering from an illness or medical treatment

The movement caused within a fluid (liquid or gas) by the tendency of hotter, less dense material to rise, and colder, denser material to sink, resulting in the transfer of heat.

Relating to the transfer of heat or other properties by the movement of a fluid.

To arrange for people to come together for a formal meeting.

a person who arranges meetings or gatherings and ensures they happen

The state of being easy to use or suiting your needs well, making you comfortable or saving you effort.

A small store that is open for long hours and sells a limited range of everyday items such as food, drinks, and newspapers.

suitable for your purposes and needs and causing the least difficulty

In a way that is easy to use or suitable for a particular purpose, causing little trouble or effort.

(present participle) The act of calling people together for a formal meeting or gathering.

A building or set of buildings where nuns live as a religious community.

A large formal meeting of people who share the same interest or work.

Based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed; following traditional forms and styles.

Adherence to or reliance on accepted customs and traditions, especially in artistic or philosophical matters.

the quality or state of being conventional, especially in following accepted customs, rules, or styles.

Made conventional; having lost its originality or individuality by being made to follow a standard or traditional form.

in a way that is based on what is traditionally done or believed

A person who attends a convention, especially as a delegate or participant.

to move towards the same point and meet or join together

the process or state of converging; the state or property of being convergent.

Tending to meet or move toward the same point.

(of lines, paths, or moving objects) to move towards the same point and meet

Having knowledge or experience of something; familiar with or competent in a particular subject.

an informal talk involving a small group of people or only two; the activity of talking in this way

Relating to or like a conversation; informal and friendly in style.

A person who is good at or enjoys conversation, especially one who talks a lot in a lively and interesting way.

In a manner that is suitable for or characteristic of informal conversation.

To have a conversation; to talk informally with someone.

used to introduce a statement that is the opposite of what has just been said

The process of changing or causing something to change from one form, purpose, or system to another.

To change or make something change from one form, purpose, system, or belief to another.

Having been changed in form, character, or function.

A device or person that changes something from one form, system, or purpose to another.

the quality of being able to be changed from one form, purpose, or system to another

Able to be changed in form, character, or function.

having an outline or surface curved like the exterior of a circle or sphere.

the state or quality of having a surface or outline that curves outward like the exterior of a sphere or circle.

To communicate or express something, with or without words.

The action or process of transporting someone or something from one place to another.

A person or thing that transports or communicates something.

a person or thing that transports or communicates something.

To prove or declare that someone is guilty of a crime, especially in a court of law.

Having been declared guilty of a crime by a court of law.

a formal declaration by a court that someone is guilty of a criminal offense

To make someone believe that something is true or to persuade someone to do something.

completely certain about something

making you believe that something is true or right

In a way that makes someone believe that something is true or real

(of an atmosphere or event) friendly, lively, and enjoyable.

the quality of being friendly and lively; a festive and sociable atmosphere.

A large, formal assembly of people, especially for a university ceremony.

To call together to a meeting; to summon a group of people to assemble.

To make something complex, intricate, or difficult to follow.