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English Words Starting With C

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

contractile vacuole
nounLow (Scientific/Life Sciences)
/kənˌtræk.taɪl ˈvæk.ju.əʊl/A membrane-bound organelle found in certain single-celled organisms, particularly freshwater protists, that pumps excess water out of the cell.
contractility
nounC1/C2
/ˌkɒn.trækˈtɪl.ɪ.ti/The inherent ability of a tissue or cell, particularly muscle, to shorten or contract in response to a stimulus.
contraction
nounB2
/kənˈtræk.ʃən/The process or result of becoming smaller or shorter; a shortened form of a word or phrase formed by omitting sounds/letters and replacing them with an apostrophe (e.g., can't).
contraction joint
nounC1 (Technical term)
/kənˈtræk.ʃən dʒɔɪnt/A deliberate gap or separation placed in construction materials (especially concrete) to allow for thermal expansion and contraction without causing damage.
contractor
nounHigh
/kənˈtræk.tə(r)/An individual or company hired to perform specific work or provide materials under a formal agreement (contract).
contracture
nounC1
/kənˈtræk.tʃər/A condition of shortening and hardening of muscles, tendons, or other tissue, often leading to deformity and rigidity of a joint.
contradance
nounLow
/ˈkɒn.trə.dɑːns/A type of folk or social dance performed by couples in two long lines facing each other.
contradict
verbverb-intransitiveverb-transitiveC1
/ˌkɒn.trəˈdɪkt/To assert the opposite of a statement or claim made by someone, thereby denying its truth or accuracy.
contradiction
nounC1
/ˌkɒn.trəˈdɪk.ʃən/A combination of statements, ideas, or features which are opposed to one another, such that if one is true, the other must be false.
contradictory
adjectivenounC1
/ˌkɒntrəˈdɪktəri/Containing or characterized by contradiction; mutually opposed or inconsistent.
contradistinction
nounC2
/ˌkɒn.trə.dɪˈstɪŋk.ʃən/Distinction made by contrasting two things directly.
contradistinguish
verbverb-transitiveC2
/ˌkɒntrədɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/To distinguish or differentiate by contrasting one thing with another, especially by pointing out opposing qualities.
contrafactual
nounVery Low
/ˌkɒn.trəˈfæk.tʃu.əl/Contrary to or opposite of known facts; relating to something that is not true or did not happen.
contraflow
nounC1
/ˈkɒn.trə.fləʊ/a temporary traffic system on a multi-lane road where some lanes are reversed to allow traffic to flow in the opposite direction, typically to manage congestion or roadworks.
contrail
nounC1
/ˈkɒn.treɪl/A visible trail of condensed water vapor or ice crystals created by an aircraft's engine exhaust at high altitudes, which appears as a white line in the sky.
contraindicate
verbverb-transitiveC1/C2
/ˌkɒntrəˈɪndɪkeɪt/To be a reason against giving a specific medical treatment; to suggest that a particular drug, procedure, or activity should not be used because it may be harmful.
contraindicated
adjectiveverbC1
/ˌkɒntrəˈɪndɪkeɪtɪd/Not recommended or inadvisable due to specific risks or adverse effects, particularly in a medical context.
contralto
adjectivenounLow
/kənˈtræl.təʊ/The lowest female singing voice.
contranym
nounC1/C2 (specialized linguistic/academic term)
/ˈkɒn.trə.nɪm/A word with two opposing meanings (also called auto-antonym).
contraoctave
nounRare
/ˌkɒn.trəˈɒk.tɪv/A specific octave in music theory, particularly in organ or harpsichord terminology, that begins at the C two octaves below middle C (C1 in some systems).

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