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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)

cosmetology
nounC2
/ˌkɒzmɪˈtɒlədʒi/The professional study and application of treatments to beautify the hair, skin, and nails.
cosmic background radiation
nounC2
/ˌkɒz.mɪk ˌbæk.ɡraʊnd ˌreɪ.diˈeɪ.ʃən/The faint, uniform, microwave radiation filling all of space, a remnant of the Big Bang.
cosmic dust
nounC2
/ˌkɒz.mɪk ˈdʌst/Microscopic solid particles of matter, primarily composed of silicates, carbon, and ice, found in outer space between stars and planetary bodies.
cosmic noise
nounLow
/ˈkɒzmɪk nɔɪz/Radio frequency interference originating from outer space, primarily from celestial sources.
cosmic ray
nounC2
/ˌkɒz.mɪk ˈreɪ/A high-energy particle, primarily originating from outer space, that travels at nearly the speed of light.
cosmic rays
plural-nounC1
/ˌkɒz.mɪk ˈreɪz/High-energy particles, primarily protons and atomic nuclei, originating from outer space that travel at nearly the speed of light and strike Earth's atmosphere.
cosmic string
nounC2+ / Highly Specialized
/ˌkɒzmɪk ˈstrɪŋ/A theoretical, hypothetical one-dimensional topological defect in spacetime, postulated in cosmology and theoretical physics.
cosmic web
nounC2
/ˈkɒz.mɪk ˈweb/The large-scale structure of the universe, consisting of galaxies and galaxy clusters connected by filaments of dark matter and gas, with vast voids in between.
cosmine
nounExtremely Rare / Technical
/ˈkɒzmaɪn/A specialised structure of bony tissue found in the scales, teeth, and dermal bones of some extinct fish, resembling dentine.
cosmism
nounLow
/ˈkɒz.mɪ.zəm/A philosophical, cultural, and scientific movement emphasizing humanity's active role in the evolution of the cosmos.
cosmochemistry
nounC2
/ˌkɒzmə(ʊ)ˈkɛmɪstri/The scientific study of the chemical composition of celestial bodies, including the origin and distribution of elements in the universe.
cosmodrome
nounLow
/ˈkɒzmədrəʊm/A large, specialized complex for the launch, and sometimes preparation and control, of spacecraft.
cosmogony
nounC2
/kɒzˈmɒɡəni/A theory or story concerning the origin of the universe.
cosmography
nounRare / Academic / Specialised
/kɒzˈmɒɡ.rə.fi/The science or art of describing and mapping the general features of the universe, both the heavens and the earth.
cosmological argument
nounVery low frequency
/ˌkɒz.məˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl ˈɑːɡ.jə.mənt/A philosophical argument for the existence of God, asserting that the universe must have a first cause or sufficient reason for its existence.
cosmological constant
nounC2
/ˌkɒz.məˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl ˈkɒn.stən.t/A constant term introduced by Albert Einstein into his field equations of general relativity to allow for a static universe, representing a repulsive force counteracting gravity on cosmic scales.
cosmological principle
nounC2
/ˌkɒz.məˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl ˈprɪn.sə.pəl/The scientific assumption that, on sufficiently large scales, the universe is both homogeneous (the same in all locations) and isotropic (the same in all directions), meaning there is no preferred location or direction.
cosmological redshift
nounVery Low
/ˌkɒz.məˈlɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl ˈred.ʃɪft/The shifting of light from distant galaxies towards longer (redder) wavelengths due to the expansion of the universe.
cosmology
nounC2
/kɒzˈmɒlədʒi/The scientific or philosophical study of the origin, structure, and evolution of the universe as a whole.
cosmonaut
nounLow frequency
/ˈkɒz.mə.nɔːt/A person who is trained to travel and work in space, specifically within the Russian (or former Soviet) space program.

Showing 10901–10920 of 13732 words.