Words beginning with C

452 words

cabinet — the group of senior ministers that takes the main decisions of a government
cadre — a service group of trained officers, or one such officer
cajole — to persuade someone by flattery or coaxing
calamity — an event causing great damage or suffering
calculated — done deliberately after weighing the likely gain
calibrate — to adjust something carefully so that it matches a required standard or pace
calibre — the level of quality or ability of a person or thing
callous — showing no concern for the suffering of others
calumny — a false statement made to damage someone’s reputation
camouflage — a covering or device used to hide the real nature of something
campaign — an organised set of activities carried out to achieve a public aim
candid — honest and straightforward
candidature — the fact of standing as a candidate for a post or an election
candour — the quality of speaking openly and honestly
canon — an accepted rule or standard by which something is judged
cantonment — a permanent military station with its own civic administration
canvass — to go around asking people for their votes or support
capable — having the skill or means needed to do something
capacity — the power or ability to do something, or the official role in which one acts
capital — money or assets put into a business, or the seat of a government
capitol — the building in which a legislature meets, especially in the United States
capitulate — to stop resisting and accept the other side’s demands
caprice — a sudden change of mind with no good reason behind it
captivate — to hold someone’s attention completely by charm or interest
captive — held prisoner or confined and unable to leave
cardinal — of the greatest importance; forming the basis of everything else
career — the working life a person builds up in one line of work
caretaker — holding office only temporarily until a regular arrangement is made
caricature — a picture or description that exaggerates features to mock someone
carnage — the killing or maiming of a large number of people
cartel — a group of producers who secretly agree to fix prices or output
carve — to create a new unit by separating it out of a larger one
cascade — to pass down step by step from one level to the next
caseload — the number of cases an officer or court has to handle
caste — a hereditary social group into which Indian society has traditionally been divided
castigate — to criticise someone severely and publicly
casual — not regular or permanent, or done without proper care
casualty — a person killed or injured in an accident, disaster or conflict
catalogue — to list items systematically in a record
catalyst — something that sets off or speeds up a change
catastrophe — a sudden event causing very great damage or loss
catchment — the area from which rain drains into a river or reservoir
categorical — stated clearly and leaving no room for doubt
cater — to provide what a particular group needs
caucus — a small group within a party or body that meets to decide a common line
caustic — bitterly critical in tone
caution — care taken to avoid risk, or a warning given against one
cautious — acting carefully so as to avoid mistakes or risk
cavalier — showing an offhand lack of concern for something serious
caveat — a warning or condition attached to what one has said
cease — to come to an end or to stop doing something
ceasefire — an agreement to stop fighting, usually for a set period
cede — to give up a right, power or territory to another
ceiling — the highest limit allowed for something
celebrated — widely known and admired for good work
censor — to examine material and remove parts held to be objectionable
censorship — official control over what may be published or shown
censure — to express strong official disapproval of someone
census — the official counting of a country’s population and its details
centenary — the hundredth anniversary of an event
centralisation — the concentration of power or control in one authority
centralise — to bring powers or activities under one central authority
centrepiece — the most important feature around which the rest is arranged
ceremonial — relating to formal occasions rather than to real power
certification — the process of officially confirming a standard has been met
certify — to state officially in writing that something is true or correct
certiorari — a writ by which a higher court calls up and quashes a lower court’s order
certitude — complete confidence that something is so
cess — an additional tax levied for one specified purpose
cessation — the act of bringing something to a stop
chagrin — annoyance and embarrassment at having failed or been thwarted
chair — to preside over a meeting or committee
challenge — to formally question or dispute the validity of something
chamber — one of the houses of a legislature
chancellor — the titular head of a university
chaos — a state of complete disorder
chaotic — completely disordered and unmanaged
character — the moral qualities and record of a person
characterise — to describe the essential nature of something
charge — to accuse someone formally of an offence, or to ask a price for something
chargesheet — the final police report setting out the accusations against an accused person
charitable — set up or done for the help of others rather than for profit
charter — a formal document granting rights or setting out obligations
chasm — a very wide gap between two groups or positions
chastise — to scold or criticise someone sharply for a failing
chattel — an item of movable personal property
chauvinism — an aggressive belief that one’s own group is superior to others
check — to stop something harmful from spreading or growing
cheque — a written order instructing a bank to pay a stated sum
chequered — marked by both good and bad phases
cherish — to hold something dear and take care to preserve it
chide — to reprove someone mildly for a fault
chiefly — for the most part; more than for any other reason
chronic — lasting a long time and hard to get rid of
chronicle — to record events in the order in which they happened
chronological — arranged in the order in which events occurred
churn — a period of rapid and unsettling change within an organisation
circular — a written instruction sent to all offices concerned
circulate — to send something round to everyone concerned
circulation — the movement of something, such as money or news, among people
circumscribe — to place limits on the extent of a power or activity
circumspect — careful to consider every consequence before acting
circumstance — a fact or condition connected with an event
circumstantial — based on facts that point to a conclusion without proving it directly
circumvent — to get around a rule or obstacle in a clever way
citation — a reference to a source, or a formal mention of merit
cite — to quote a source or ruling in support of an argument
citizenry — the citizens of a place taken together
civic — relating to a city or to the duties of its citizens
civil — relating to citizens, or to law other than criminal law
civilian — a person who is not a member of the armed forces or police
civilisation — an advanced stage of social and cultural development
civility — polite and restrained behaviour towards others
claim — to assert a right to something, or the assertion itself
clamour — a loud and persistent public demand
clampdown — sudden strict action taken to stop an unlawful activity
clandestine — kept secret because it is improper or unlawful
clarification — an explanation issued to remove doubt or confusion
clarify — to make something free of doubt by explaining it
clarity — the quality of being easy to understand and free of doubt
clash — to come into violent or open conflict
classification — the arrangement of things into groups by a stated criterion
classify — to arrange things in groups according to shared features
clause — a distinct provision in a law, contract or agreement
cleave — to split apart, or to stick firmly to something
clemency — mercy shown in reducing a punishment
clergy — the body of people ordained for religious duties
clerical — relating to routine office work such as records and correspondence
climax — the most intense or decisive point of a sequence of events
clinch — to settle something decisively in one’s favour
cling — to hold on to something obstinately
clique — a small exclusive group that keeps others out
closure — the act of shutting something down permanently
clout — informal power to influence decisions
cluster — a group of similar units located close together
coalesce — to come together and form a single group or whole
coalition — a temporary alliance of parties or groups formed to govern or act together
coastal — relating to or lying near the sea shore
coax — to persuade someone gently and patiently to do something
coerce — to force someone by threats
coercion — the use of force or threats to make someone act against their will
cogent — clear and forceful enough to convince
cognisable — describing an offence in which the police may arrest without a warrant
cognisance — formal or judicial notice taken of a matter
cognition — the mental process of acquiring knowledge and understanding
coherence — the quality of being logically connected and consistent
coherent — logical and consistent
cohesion — the state of sticking together as one unit
cohort — a group sharing a common feature, usually studied together over time
coincide — to happen at the same time; to agree exactly
coincidence — a striking occurrence of two events together with no apparent connection
collaborate — to work jointly with others on a task
collapse — to fall down suddenly; a sudden and complete failure
collate — to collect and arrange information from several sources
collateral — property pledged as security for a loan
colleague — a person one works with, especially in a profession
collective — shared by or done by all the members of a group
collide — to strike violently against something; to come into open conflict
colloquial — used in ordinary conversation rather than in formal speech or writing
collude — to cooperate secretly for a dishonest purpose
collusion — a secret understanding entered into for a fraudulent purpose
colonial — relating to rule by a foreign power over a territory
combat — to fight against or try to put a stop to something harmful
combine — to join two or more things so that they work as one
comity — courteous respect shown by one authority or nation for another’s laws and institutions
commemorate — to mark and honour the memory of a person or event
commence — to begin, especially formally
commend — to praise formally and publicly
commensurate — in proportion to; matching in size, degree or quality
commentary — a series of explanatory or critical remarks on an event or text
commerce — the buying and selling of goods and services on a large scale
commercial — concerned with buying and selling, and with making a profit
commission — to formally order or authorise a work to be carried out; also, a body appointed for a…
commit — to carry out a wrong; to pledge oneself or one’s resources to a course of action
commitment — a firm promise or a settled dedication to a cause
committee — a group of people appointed to consider or decide a particular matter
commodity — a raw material or primary product that is bought and sold
commonplace — so ordinary as to be unremarkable
communal — relating to conflict or division between religious communities
commute — to reduce a judicial sentence to a less severe one
compact — a formal agreement between two or more parties
comparable — similar enough to be compared; of the same standard
compassion — sympathy and concern for the suffering of others
compatible — able to exist or work together without conflict
compel — to force someone to do something
compendium — a concise collection of information on a subject
compensate — to make good a loss or injury, usually by payment
compensation — money awarded to make good a loss, injury or acquisition
competent — having the required skill, or the legal authority, to act
competitive — involving rivalry; good enough to hold its own against others
compile — to put together a list, report or book from collected material
complacency — smug self-satisfaction that makes one stop taking care
complacent — pleased with oneself and therefore careless about what remains to be done
complement — to add to something in a way that improves or completes it
complementary — combining so that each makes up for what the other lacks
complexity — the state of being intricate and hard to understand
compliance — the act of obeying a rule, order or law
compliant — meeting the requirements of a rule or standard
complicity — involvement along with others in a wrongdoing
comply — to act in accordance with a rule, order or request
component — one of the parts that make up a whole
compose — to make up or form a whole; to put together in writing
composite — made up of several distinct parts
comprehend — to understand fully
comprehensive — covering all or nearly all aspects of something
comprise — to consist of; to be made up of
compromise — to weaken or endanger something; also, a settlement reached by mutual concession
compulsion — an irresistible urge, or a legal obligation to act
compulsory — required by law or by rule
compute — to calculate a figure or amount
conceal — to hide something deliberately
concede — to admit that something is true; to give up a point or a right
conceive — to form an idea or plan in the mind
concentrate — to focus effort or attention; to gather in one place
concept — an abstract idea or general notion
concern — worry or anxiety about a matter (not merely a business firm)
concerted — jointly planned and carried out
concession — something granted as a favour or a reduction from the usual charge
conciliation — the process of settling a dispute by bringing the parties to agreement
conciliatory — meant to end a disagreement
concise — giving a great deal of information in few words
conclude — to bring to an end; to arrive at a judgment after reasoning
conclusive — decisive and putting an end to all doubt
concomitant — occurring alongside something else as a natural accompaniment
concrete — definite and specific rather than vague
concur — to agree with an opinion or decision
concurrent — happening at the same time; shared between the Union and the States
condemn — to express strong public disapproval of something
condition — a requirement attached to a permission, order or agreement
condolence — an expression of sympathy on someone’s death
condone — to overlook or forgive an offence or lapse
conducive — making an outcome likely
conduct — to organise and carry out something formally, such as an examination or inquiry
confer — to grant a right, power or honour
conference — a formal meeting held for discussion
confess — to admit openly to a fault or a crime
confidential — meant to be kept secret and shared only with those entitled to it
confine — to keep within limits; to shut in
confirm — to establish the truth of something; to approve formally
confiscate — to take property away officially as a penalty
conflict — a serious disagreement, or a clash between competing interests
conform — to comply with rules or accepted standards
confront — to face a difficulty squarely; to challenge someone openly
congestion — overcrowding that blocks movement or flow
congregate — to gather together in a crowd
conjecture — an opinion formed without firm evidence
connive — to secretly allow or cooperate in a wrongdoing
connoisseur — an expert judge in matters of taste
connotation — an idea or feeling that a word suggests beyond its literal meaning
conscientious — careful and thorough in doing what is right or required
consecutive — following one after another without a break
consensus — general agreement reached within a group
consent — permission given voluntarily and with knowledge of the facts
consequence — a result or effect that follows from an action
consequently — as a result of what has just been stated
conservation — the protection and careful use of natural resources or heritage
conserve — to use carefully so as to avoid waste; to keep from harm
considerable — large in amount, extent or importance
consideration — careful thought; in contract law, what each party gives in return for the promise
consign — to hand over or send something formally into another’s charge
consistent — unchanging in standard or behaviour; not contradicting other evidence
consolidate — to combine into a single stronger whole; to make secure
consortium — an association of firms or institutions formed for a joint undertaking
conspicuous — clearly visible and attracting notice
conspiracy — a secret plan by two or more persons to do something unlawful
constable — a police officer of the lowest rank
constant — continuing without change or pause
constituency — the body of voters, or the area, represented by an elected member
constituent — one of the parts that form a whole; a voter of a constituency
constitute — to set up formally; to make up or form
constrain — to restrict or force within narrow limits
constraint — a limitation or restriction on what can be done
construe — to interpret the meaning of words, especially in a statute or contract
consul — an official posted abroad to protect a country’s citizens and commercial interests
consult — to seek information or advice from someone before deciding
consumption — the using up of goods, food or energy
contagious — spreading from one person to another by contact
contain — to keep something harmful under control; to hold within
contemplate — to think about seriously; to provide for as a possibility
contemporary — belonging to the same period; of the present day
contempt — open disrespect, especially wilful disobedience of a court
contend — to assert or argue a point in a dispute
contentious — likely to cause disagreement or argument
contest — to challenge or dispute something formally
context — the circumstances that give an event or statement its meaning
contiguous — sharing a common border; touching along a boundary
contingency — a possible future event for which one must be prepared
contingent — dependent on some other thing happening first
contraband — goods that it is illegal to import, export or possess
contract — an agreement that the law will enforce between the parties
contradict — to state the opposite of something; to be inconsistent with it
contravene — to break a law, rule or agreement
contrive — to manage to bring something about by skill or ingenuity
controversy — prolonged public disagreement over a matter
convene — to call people together for a formal meeting
convention — an accepted practice followed without being written into law; also a formal agreement…
converge — to come together at one point; to move towards agreement
conversant — well acquainted with a subject through study or practice
conversely — seen from the opposite side; in the reverse case
convert — to change something into another form, use or belief
convey — to communicate an idea or information; to transfer property formally
convict — to declare someone guilty in a court of law
conviction — a formal finding of guilt by a court; also a firmly held belief
convince — to make someone believe or accept something
convoluted — extremely complicated and difficult to follow
cooperate — to work together with others towards a shared aim
cooperation — the act of working together for a common purpose
cooperative — a society jointly owned and run by the members it serves
coopt — to add someone to a body without holding a fresh election
coordinate — to organise different people or parts so that they work together well
coordination — the organising of different parties so that they act together effectively
cope — to deal successfully with a difficult situation
copious — present in large quantity
copyright — the legal right to control the use and reproduction of an original work
cordial — warm and friendly in manner
cordon — to surround and seal off an area with police or troops
core — the central and most important part of something
cornerstone — the essential foundation on which something rests
corollary — a result that follows naturally from something else
corporal — relating to the body, especially where punishment is concerned
corporate — relating to a large company or to organised business as a whole
corporatisation — converting a government department into a company run on commercial lines
corpus — a large fund of money set aside for a specific purpose
corrective — intended to put right something that has gone wrong
correlate — to show that two things vary together in a regular way
correlation — a mutual relationship in which two things change together
correspond — to match or be equivalent to something else
correspondence — letters and written communication exchanged between parties
correspondent — a journalist who reports from a particular place or on a particular subject
corridor — a long strip of land linking two places, developed for transport or trade
corrigendum — an official correction issued to a document already published
corroborate — to confirm a statement or finding with further evidence
corroboration — independent evidence that supports a claim
corrode — to eat away gradually, whether metal or trust
corrosion — gradual destruction by chemical action or slow decay
corrugated — shaped into parallel ridges and grooves
corrupt — willing to act dishonestly in return for money or favour
corruption — dishonest conduct by those in power for private gain
cosmetic — affecting only the appearance and not the substance
cosmopolitan — made up of people from many countries or cultures
cost-effective — giving good value in return for the money spent
costly — causing serious loss or expense
cosy — comfortably close in a way that hints at improper favour
coterie — a small exclusive group gathered around a leader
council — an elected or appointed body that governs or advises
councillor — an elected member of a local council or municipal body
counsel — formal advice, or the lawyer who argues a case in court
counsellor — a trained person who gives guidance on personal, academic or career problems
countenance — to give approval to something or allow it to happen
counter — to act or argue against something
counteract — to reduce or cancel out the effect of something
counterbalance — to offset one force or effect with another of equal weight
counterfeit — made in exact imitation of something in order to deceive
counterintuitive — contrary to what common sense would suggest
countermand — to cancel an order that has already been issued
countermeasure — an action taken to oppose or offset a threat
counterpart — a person or thing holding the same position in another organisation
counterproductive — having the opposite of the intended effect
countervailing — acting to balance or offset an opposing force
coup — a sudden and illegal seizure of power from a government
court — to invite or seek something, often trouble or favour
courteous — polite and respectful in manner
courtesy — polite behaviour shown towards others
covenant — a formal and binding agreement
cover — to report on an event for a newspaper or channel
cover-up — an attempt to hide a mistake or crime from public view
coverage — the extent to which something reaches or is included
covert — done secretly and not openly acknowledged
covet — to desire something that belongs to another
cower — to crouch or shrink back in fear
coy — unwilling to give information, while pretending shyness
crackdown — severe official action taken against an unlawful activity
craft — to make or shape something with skill and care
crass — showing no sensitivity or good judgement
crave — to long for something intensely
craven — lacking courage in a contemptible way
credence — acceptance of something as true or believable
credentials — the qualifications or documents that prove a person’s standing
credibility — the quality of being believed and trusted
credible — able to be believed; convincing
credit — public recognition given for an achievement
creditable — deserving praise, though not outstanding
creditor — a person or institution to whom money is owed
creditworthiness — the extent to which a borrower can be trusted to repay
credulity — readiness to believe things too easily
credulous — too ready to believe anything
creed — a set of beliefs that guides a person or group
criminalise — to make an act punishable as a crime by law
crisis — a time of intense difficulty that demands urgent decisions
criteria — the standards on which judgements or decisions are based
criterion — a single standard used to judge or decide something
critic — a person who publicly judges or finds fault with something
critical — extremely important at a decisive moment
criticise — to point out the faults in someone or something
criticism — the expression of disapproval based on perceived faults
critique — a careful, reasoned assessment of a work or a policy
crony — a close associate who is given unfair advantage
cronyism — the practice of favouring friends in appointments and contracts
cross-border — taking place across a national frontier
cross-examine — to question a witness produced by the opposing side in court
cross-section — a sample that represents every part of a larger group
crossroads — a point at which a crucial choice has to be made
crucial — decisive in determining the outcome
crude — in a raw, unrefined state; roughly made
cruelty — behaviour that deliberately causes pain or suffering
crumble — to break apart gradually and give way
crunch — a severe shortage, especially of money
crusade — a determined and prolonged campaign for a cause
crux — the most important point of an issue
cryptic — having a hidden or deliberately obscure meaning
cryptocurrency — a digital currency secured by cryptography and not issued by a central bank
crystallise — to take a definite and clear form
cue — a signal or hint that prompts a particular response
cull — to select and gather material from various sources
culminate — to reach a final and highest point
culmination — the highest or final point of a long process
culpability — responsibility for a fault or a wrong
culpable — deserving blame for a wrong
culprit — the person responsible for a wrong or a crime
cult — excessive and unquestioning devotion to a person or an idea
cultivable — suitable for growing crops
cultivate — to build up or develop something deliberately over time
cultivator — a person who farms land, whether as owner or tenant
cumbersome — slow and complicated to use or carry out
cumulative — increasing steadily by successive additions
curative — able to remove the cause of a harm or an injustice
curb — to keep something harmful under control
curfew — an official order requiring people to stay indoors during fixed hours
curiosity — a strong desire to know or learn something
curious — strange or odd in a way that invites question
currency — the system of money in general use in a country
current — belonging to the present time
curriculum — the set of subjects and content taught in a course of study
cursory — done quickly and without attention to detail
curtail — to cut short or reduce
curtailment — a reduction in the extent or duration of something
cushion — to soften the impact of something harmful
cusp — the point of transition between one state and another
custodial — relating to detention in police or judicial custody
custodian — a person or body entrusted with guarding or looking after something
custody — the state of being held by the police or under a court order
customary — usual because of long-established practice
customs — the government duty charged on goods brought into a country
cut-off — the minimum score or limit fixed for selection
cutback — a reduction in spending or activity
cutting-edge — at the most advanced stage of development
cybercrime — criminal activity carried out using computers or the internet
cybersecurity — protection of computer systems and data from attack or theft
cyclical — occurring in repeated cycles
cyclone — a violent tropical storm with rotating winds
cynical — distrustful of others’ motives, assuming they act only out of self-interest
cynicism — a distrustful attitude that assumes selfish motives in others