Alphabetical word directory

English words starting with C

Showing words 3,6013,720 of 4,877. Choose a word to read its meaning, etymology and origin.

convoluted

adj

extremely complicated and difficult to follow

[ˈkɑːnvəluːtɪd]

convolution

n

A thing that is complex, intricate, and difficult to follow.

[ˌkɑːnvəˈluːʃn]

convoy

n

A group of vehicles or ships traveling together, typically for protection or with an escort.

[ˈkɑːnvɔɪ]

convulse

v

to cause (someone) to suffer sudden, violent, uncontrollable movements of the body

[kənˈvʌls]

convulsion

n

A sudden, violent, irregular movement of the body, caused by involuntary contraction of muscles and associated especially with brain disorders such as epilepsy, fever in children, or infectious diseases.

[kənˈvʌlʃn]

convulsive

adj

Relating to or causing a sudden, violent, irregular movement of the body, caused by involuntary contraction of muscles.

[kənˈvʌlsɪv]

convulsively

adv

In a way that involves sudden, violent, uncontrollable movements of the body.

[kənˈvʌlsɪvli]

coo

v

(of a dove or pigeon) to make a soft, low sound

[kuː]

cooing

n

The soft, murmuring sound made by doves, pigeons, or a contented baby.

[ˈkuːɪŋ]

cook

v

To prepare food for eating by using heat.

[kʊk]

cook-off

n

A cooking competition in which contestants prepare dishes to be judged.

[ˈkʊk ɔːf]

cookbook

n

a book containing recipes and instructions for cooking.

[ˈkʊkˌbʊk]

cooked

adj

(of food) Prepared for eating by using heat.

[kʊkt]

cooker

n

a large piece of equipment for cooking food, containing an oven and gas or electric rings on top

[ˈkʊkər]

cookery

n

The art, practice, or skill of preparing and cooking food.

[ˈkʊkəri]

cookhouse

n

A building or room where cooking is done, especially in a military camp, on a ship, or on a large estate.

[ˈkʊkˌhaʊs]

cookie

n

A small, sweet, flat cake that is baked until crisp.

[ˈkʊki]

cookie-cutter

adj

(of a product, policy, place, etc.) lacking originality and individuality; mass-produced or standardised

[ˈkʊki ˌkʌtər]

cooking

n

The process of preparing food by heating it.

[ˈkʊkɪŋ]

cookout

n

A social gathering where a meal is cooked and eaten outdoors, especially one at which barbecued food is served.

[ˈkʊkaʊt]

cookstove

n

an enclosed apparatus for cooking food, typically using wood, coal, or gas as fuel.

[ˈkʊkstoʊv]

cooktop

n

A flat surface, typically built into a kitchen counter, that contains electric or gas heating elements for cooking.

[ˈkʊk.tɑːp]

cookware

n

The pots, pans, and other utensils used for cooking.

[ˈkʊk.wer]

cool

adj

slightly cold; pleasant and not hot or warm

[kuːl]

cool-down

n

A period of gentle exercise after more intense physical activity to allow the body to return gradually to its normal state.

[ˈkuːl daʊn]

cool-headed

adj

not easily upset or excited; able to stay calm and think clearly in difficult situations

[ˌkuːl ˈhedɪd]

cool-looking

adj

Having an attractive, stylish, or impressive appearance.

[ˈkuːl ˌlʊkɪŋ]

cool-season

adj

(of a plant) adapted to or thriving in the cooler temperatures of spring and autumn

[ˌkuːl ˈsiːzən]

cool-weather

adj

relating to or suitable for cool climatic conditions

[ˌkuːl ˈweðər]

coolant

n

a liquid or gas that is used to cool something, especially an engine or industrial machinery, by absorbing and carrying away heat.

[ˈkuːlənt]

cooled

adj

Having become or been made less warm.

[kuːld]

cooler

n

a container or device for keeping things cool, especially food or drinks

[ˈkuːlər]

coolie

n

An unskilled native labourer in some Asian countries, especially one employed in heavy physical work.

[ˈkuːli]

cooling

n

The process of becoming or making something cooler.

[ˈkuːlɪŋ]

cooling-off

n

a period of time during which two sides in a disagreement, especially one that could lead to legal action, try to reach an agreement before taking further action

[ˈkuːlɪŋ ɔːf]

coolly

adv

In a calm and controlled way, without showing emotion or excitement.

[ˈkuːlli]

coolness

n

The state or quality of being at a fairly low temperature.

[ˈkuːlnəs]

coon

n

A raccoon.

[kuːn]

coonskin

n

the skin or pelt of a raccoon, especially when dressed and used for clothing or as a rug.

[ˈkuːnskɪn]

coop

n

A cage or pen for confining poultry or small animals.

[kuːp]

cooper

n

A person who makes or repairs wooden casks, barrels, and tubs.

[ˈkuːpər]

cooperate

v

to work together with another person or group in order to achieve something

[koʊˈɑːpəreɪt]

cooperating

v

Working together with someone or with others to achieve a shared goal.

[koʊˈɑːpəreɪtɪŋ]

cooperation

n

The process of working together with others towards a common goal or benefit.

[koʊˌɑːpəˈreɪʃn]

cooperative

adj

Involving mutual assistance in working towards a common goal.

[koʊˈɑːpərətɪv]

cooperative-learning

n

An educational approach in which students work together in small groups to achieve shared learning goals, with an emphasis on positive interdependence and individual accountability.

[koʊˈɑːpərətɪv ˈlɜːrnɪŋ]

cooperatively

adv

in a way that involves working together with others for a common purpose or benefit

[koʊˈɑːpərətɪvli]

cooperativeness

n

the quality of being willing to work with others in a helpful way to achieve a common goal.

[koʊˈɑːpərətɪvnəs]

cooperator

n

a person or organization that works jointly with others towards a common goal.

[koʊˈɑːpəreɪtər]

coordinate

v

to organize the different parts of an activity and the people involved in it so that it works well

[koʊˈɔːrdɪneɪt]

coordinated

adj

Organized so that all parts work together effectively.

[koʊˈɔːrdɪneɪtɪd]

coordinating

adj

Acting to bring different elements into a harmonious or efficient relationship.

[koʊˈɔːrdɪneɪtɪŋ]

coordination

n

the process of organizing people or things so that they work together effectively

[koʊˌɔːrdɪˈneɪʃən]

coordinator

n

a person whose job is to organize the different parts of an activity and the people involved in it so that it works effectively

[koʊˈɔːrdɪneɪtə]

coot

n

A black or dark grey waterbird with a white bill and forehead.

[kuːt]

cooter

n

A freshwater turtle of the genus *Pseudemys*, common in the southeastern United States, characterized by a smooth, domed shell and often having yellow markings.

[ˈkuːtər]

cooty

n

A children's term for a louse or head lice.

[ˈkuːti]

cop

n

a police officer

[kɑːp]

cop-killer

n

A person who murders a police officer.

[ˈkɑːp ˌkɪlər]

cop-out

n

an excuse for not doing something

[ˈkɑːp aʊt]

copacetic

adj

completely satisfactory or in good order.

[ˌkoʊpəˈsetɪk]

copal

n

A hard, aromatic resin from various tropical trees, used especially in varnishes and lacquers.

[ˈkoʊp(ə)l]

cope

v

to deal effectively with something difficult.

[koʊp]

copepod

n

A tiny crustacean with an ovoid body and a single median eye, abundant in plankton and freshwater.

[ˈkoʊpɪpɑːd]

copernican

adj

Relating to or characteristic of the astronomical theories of Nicolaus Copernicus, especially the theory that the earth and planets revolve around the sun.

[koʊˈpɜːrnɪkən]

copied

v

the past tense and past participle of copy

[ˈkɑːp.id]

copier

n

A machine that makes exact copies of documents or images.

[ˈkɑː.pi.ɚ]

coping

n

The top, typically curved or sloping, course of a brick or stone wall.

[ˈkoʊpɪŋ]

copious

adj

existing or being produced in large quantities; abundant.

[ˈkoʊ.pi.əs]

copiously

adv

In large quantities; abundantly.

[ˈkoʊ.pi.əs.li]

copolymer

n

A polymer made by reaction of two different monomers, with units of more than one kind.

[ˌkoʊˈpɑːlɪmər]

copper

n

a reddish-brown metal that is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat, often used for making wires, pipes, and coins.

[ˈkɑːpər]

copper-colored

adj

having the reddish-brown color of copper

[ˈkɑːpərˌkʌlərd]

copper-mining

n

the activity, process, or industry of extracting copper ore from the earth

[ˈkɑːpər ˌmaɪnɪŋ]

copperhead

n

A venomous pit viper of North America, with coppery-brown coloration and distinctive head markings.

[ˈkɑːpərˌhɛd]

copperplate

n

a polished copper plate with a design engraved or etched into it, used for printing.

[ˈkɑːpərpleɪt]

coppersmith

n

A person who makes things out of copper.

[ˈkɑː.pɚ.smɪθ]

coppery

adj

Resembling copper, especially in color.

[ˈkɑːpəri]

copra

n

The dried white flesh of the coconut from which coconut oil is extracted.

[ˈkoʊprə]

coprocessor

n

A microprocessor designed to supplement the capabilities of the primary processor by performing specialized tasks.

[ˌkoʊˈprɑːsesər]

coprolite

n

Fossilized dung or feces of animals.

[ˈkɑːprəlaɪt]

copse

n

a small group of trees.

[kɑːps]

copter

n

A helicopter.

[ˈkɑːptər]

coptic

adj

Relating to the Copts, their language, or the Christian Church of Egypt.

[ˈkɑːptɪk]

copulate

v

To have sexual intercourse.

[ˈkɑː.pjə.leɪt]

copulation

n

The act or process of sexual intercourse.

[ˌkɑː.pjəˈleɪ.ʃən]

copulatory

adj

Relating to or involving sexual intercourse.

[ˈkɑːpjʊlətɔːri]

copy

n

A thing made to be exactly like another thing

[ˈkɑːpi]

copy-protection

n

Measures designed to prevent the unauthorized duplication of copyrighted digital material, such as software, music, or video files.

[ˈkɑːpi prəˌtekʃn̩]

copybook

n

A book containing models of handwriting for learners to imitate.

[ˈkɑːpibʊk]

copycat

n

A person or thing that copies or imitates another, especially in a slavish or unoriginal way.

[ˈkɑː.pi.kæt]

copying

n

The action or process of making a copy of something.

[ˈkɑːpiɪŋ]

copyist

n

A person who makes copies, especially of written documents or works of art.

[ˈkɑːpiɪst]

copyright

n

The exclusive legal right, given to the originator or their assignee for a fixed number of years, to print, publish, perform, film, or record literary, artistic, or musical material, and to authorize others to do the same.

[ˈkɑːpiraɪt]

copyrighted

adj

Legally protected by copyright, meaning the exclusive right to reproduce, publish, or sell the work is held by the creator or owner.

[ˈkɑːpiraɪtɪd]

copywriter

n

A person who writes the text of advertisements or publicity material.

[ˈkɑːpiraɪtər]

coquetry

n

Behavior intended to attract someone's romantic or sexual interest in a playful or teasing way.

[ˈkoʊkɪtri]

coquette

n

A woman who flirts lightheartedly with men to gain their admiration and attention.

[koʊˈkɛt]

coquettish

adj

(of a woman or her behaviour) behaving in a way that is intended to attract attention or admiration, especially in a playful or teasing manner that is not serious.

[koʊˈketɪʃ]

coquettishly

adv

in a flirtatious or teasing manner intended to attract attention or admiration.

[koʊˈketɪʃli]

coquina

n

a soft, whitish limestone composed of broken shells and corals cemented together.

[koʊˈkiːnə]

coracle

n

A small, round boat made of wickerwork covered with a watertight material, traditionally used in Wales, Ireland, and parts of western England.

[ˈkɔːrək(ə)l]

coral

n

A hard, usually pink or white substance formed from the skeletons of very small sea animals, often used in jewellery

[ˈkɔːrəl]

coral-colored

adj

having a color similar to that of coral, typically a pinkish-orange or reddish hue.

[ˈkɔːrəl ˈkʌlərd]

corbel

n

A piece of stone, wood, or metal that projects from a wall to support a structure above it, such as an arch, beam, or shelf.

[ˈkɔːrb(ə)l]

cord

n

a thin, flexible string or rope made of several twisted strands

[kɔːrd]

cordage

n

Ropes or cords, especially in the rigging of a ship.

[ˈkɔːrdɪdʒ]

corded

adj

(of a muscle) having a tight, stringy appearance.

[ˈkɔːrdɪd]

cordgrass

n

A coarse, tough grass that typically grows in salt marshes or wet ground.

[ˈkɔːrdɡræs]

cordial

adj

warm and friendly in manner or feeling

[ˈkɔːr.dʒəl]

cordiality

n

Warm, sincere, and friendly feelings or behaviour.

[ˌkɔːr.dʒiˈæl.ə.t̬i]

cordially

adv

In a warm and friendly way.

[ˈkɔːr.dʒə.li]

cordillera

n

A long chain or group of mountains, especially the principal mountain system of a continent.

[ˌkɔːrdɪˈljɛrə]

cordite

n

A smokeless explosive used as a propellant in ammunition.

[ˈkɔːrdaɪt]

cordless

adj

Operating without a physical connecting wire or cable, typically using batteries or radio signals.

[ˈkɔːrdləs]

cordoba

n

The basic unit of money in Nicaragua.

[ˈkɔːrdəbə]

cordon

n

a line or circle of police, soldiers, or guards preventing access to or from an area.

[ˈkɔːrd(ə)n]

cordovan

n

A fine, soft leather, typically made from horsehide, originally produced in Córdoba, Spain.

[ˈkɔːrdəvən]

corduroy

n

a strong cotton fabric with velvety ribs or ridges

[ˈkɔːrdərɔɪ]

cordwood

n

Wood cut into short lengths of uniform size, especially for use as fuel.

[ˈkɔːrdwʊd]
English Words Starting with C – Page 31 | OpenEtymology