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English Words Starting With C

13,732 entries — pick a word to see its definition, pronunciation, and usage.

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Noun Verb Adjective Adverb Plural noun Combining form Verb (transitive)Verb (intransitive)Verb (ambitransitive)

cat's cry syndrome
nounVery Low
/ˈkæts ˌkraɪ ˌsɪndrəʊm/A rare genetic disorder (Cri-du-chat syndrome) caused by a missing piece of chromosome 5, characterized by a high-pitched cry in infants resembling a cat's meow.
cat's eye
nounB2
/ˈkæts ˌaɪ/A small reflective device, typically a glass or plastic sphere or hemisphere, set into a road's surface to mark lanes, reflect light from headlights, and improve night visibility.
cat's meow
nounLow
/ˈkæts miˌaʊ/Something or someone considered excellent, wonderful, or very impressive.
cat's pajamas
nounLow
/ˌkæts pəˈdʒɑː.məz/A person or thing considered outstanding or excellent.
cat's whisker
nounLow
/ˈkæts ˌwɪs.kə(ɹ)/The extremely fine, sensitive whisker of a cat, or an old-fashioned radio component.
cat's whiskers
nounLow
/ˌkæts ˈwɪskəz/Something or someone considered to be excellent, outstanding, or the best of its kind.
cat's-claw
nounLow
/ˈkæts ˌklɔː/A climbing plant with tendrils or hooks resembling a cat's claws, used for gripping surfaces; also refers to a type of thorny acacia or a surgical instrument.
cat's-ear
nounLow
/ˈkæts ˌɪə(r)/A common name for several species of flowering plants, especially in the genus Hypochaeris, characterized by dandelion-like yellow flowers and leaves that are often hairy and resemble a cat's ear in shape.
cat's-foot
nounRare / Botanical / Niche
/ˈkæts fʊt/A low-growing, mat-forming plant, especially of the genera Antennaria or Glechoma, with small, rounded leaves often resembling a cat's paw.
cat's-paw
nounC2/Rare
/ˈkæts pɔː/A person who is used by another, especially to perform an unpleasant or dangerous task; a dupe or pawn. Also, a knot used by sailors; a light breeze affecting a small area.
cat's-tail
nounLow
/ˈkæts teɪl/The long, slender, cylindrical flower cluster of certain plants, especially reedmace or Typha plants.
cat's-tail speedwell
nounLow (Specialist/Botanical)
/ˈkæts teɪl ˈspiːdwɛl/A perennial flowering plant (Veronica longifolia) characterized by its long, dense, spike-like racemes of small blue or violet flowers.
cat-foot
verb-intransitiveVery Low (Specialized/Literary)
/ˈkæt fʊt/To move or walk with extreme stealth, softness, and quiet, like a cat.
cat-harpin
nounExtremely rare / Obsolete
/ˈkæt ˌhɑː.pɪn/A wooden or metal pin, especially a knee or brace, used in the construction of a ship or cart. A specific, obscure carpentry or shipbuilding component.
cat-o'-mountain
nounLow-frequency
/ˌkæt ə ˈmaʊn.tɪn/A large wild cat, especially a leopard, lynx, or other feline predator, often from mountainous or rugged regions.
cat-o'-nine-tails
nounLow
/ˌkat ə ˈnaɪn teɪlz/A whip with nine knotted lashes, historically used for flogging, especially as corporal punishment in the military and naval services.
cat-scratch disease
nounLow frequency (Medical/Technical term)
/ˈkæt ˌskrætʃ dɪˌziːz/A bacterial infection caused by Bartonella henselae, typically transmitted to humans via a scratch or bite from an infected cat.
cat-scratch fever
nounLow (specialized medical term; colloquial metaphorical use is very rare)
/ˈkæt skrætʃ ˌfiːvə/A bacterial infection transmitted to humans through scratches, bites, or licks from cats, caused primarily by Bartonella henselae.
cat-tail
nounLow
/ˈkæt.teɪl/A tall, reed-like marsh plant (genus Typha) with long, cylindrical brown flower spikes that resemble a cat's tail.
cat-train
nounVery Low
/ˈkæt ˌtreɪn/A long, connected line of sleds or sledges (carioles) pulled by a team of dogs or horses, historically used for transporting freight and passengers in Northern Canada, especially in winter.

Showing 2501–2520 of 13732 words.