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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)

contention
nounC1
/kənˈten.ʃən/A heated disagreement or argument; a point advanced in an argument.
contentive
nounVery Low
/kənˈtɛntɪv/A word or morpheme that carries semantic content (meaning) rather than purely grammatical function.
contentment
nounC1
/kənˈtentmənt/A state of peaceful happiness and satisfaction.
conterminous united states
nounC1/C2
/kənˈtɜː.mɪ.nəs juːˈnaɪ.tɪd steɪts/The 48 states of the United States that are located on the North American continent and share common borders, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
contessa
nounC1
/ˌkɒnˈtɛsə/An Italian noblewoman, equivalent to a countess.
contest
nounverbverb-intransitive+1B1
Noun: /ˈkɒn.test/, Verb: /kənˈtest/A competition, or a struggle for victory.
contestant
nounB2
/kənˈtes.tənt/A person who takes part in a competition or contest.
contestation
nounC1/C2 (Low frequency, advanced vocabulary)
/ˌkɒn.tesˈteɪ.ʃən/The act of challenging, disputing, or calling into question the validity or truth of something.
contested
adjectiveverbC1
/kənˈtɛstɪd/Something that is challenged, argued against, or disputed.
context
nounHigh
/ˈkɒn.tekst/The circumstances, setting, background, or environment in which something exists or occurs, which are crucial for its full understanding.
context of situation
nounC2
/ˈkɒn.tekst əv ˌsɪtʃ.uˈeɪ.ʃən/The specific, concrete circumstances (participants, time, place, purpose, mode of communication) in which a speech event or text occurs, which are crucial for interpreting its meaning.
contextomy
nounVery low frequency (Technical/Specialist)
/kənˈtɛk.stə.mi/The practice of deliberately quoting a speaker or text out of context to distort their intended meaning.
contextual definition
nounC2
/kənˈtek.stʃu.əl ˌdef.ɪˈnɪʃ.ən/A definition that explains the meaning of a word or phrase by showing how it is used in a specific sentence, situation, or field, rather than by giving a general explanation.
contextualism
nounRare
/ˌkɒn.tekˈstjuː.ə.lɪ.zəm/A philosophical theory emphasizing that the meaning or truth of a statement depends on its context.
contextualize
verbverb-transitiveC1/C2
/kənˈtɛk.stjʊə.laɪz/To place or consider something in its proper context; to make something understandable by showing its relation to surrounding circumstances, background, or environment.
contexture
nounRare / C2
/kənˈtɛkstʃə/The way in which parts are arranged or woven together to form a structure or complex whole.
contiguity
nounC1/C2
/ˌkɒn.tɪˈɡjuː.ə.ti/The state of being next to or touching another thing; adjacency.
continence
nounC2
/ˈkɒn.tɪ.nəns/The ability to control one's bodily functions, specifically the bladder and bowels; self-restraint.
continent
adjectivenounB1
/ˈkɒn.tɪ.nənt/one of the seven main large land masses on Earth (Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South America).
continental
adjectivenounB2
/ˌkɒn.tɪˈnen.təl/relating to or characteristic of a continent, especially mainland Europe as distinct from the British Isles.

Showing 9761–9780 of 13732 words.