Browse by letter

English Words Starting With C

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

Filter

Parts of speech

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

counter-ion
nounC2 / Very Low Frequency (Academic/Technical)
/ˈkaʊntər ˌaɪən/An ion with an opposite electric charge to a given ion in a system, typically in a solution or ionic crystal.
counter-reformation
nounLow
/ˌkaʊntə refəˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/The 16th- and 17th-century Roman Catholic movement of reform, defense, and response to the Protestant Reformation.
counter-revolution
nounC2
/ˌkaʊn.tə.rev.əˈluː.ʃən/A political movement or uprising aimed at overthrowing a recently established revolutionary government or order and restoring the previous system.
counter-revolutionary
adjectivenounC1
/ˌkaʊn.təˌrev.əˈluː.ʃən.ər.i/Opposing a revolution; seeking to overturn or actively working against a revolution that has taken place.
counteract
verbverb-transitiveC1
/ˌkaʊntərˈækt/To act against something in order to reduce its force or neutralize its effect.
counterargument
nounB2
/ˈkaʊntərˌɑːɡjʊmənt/An argument or reasoning presented to oppose or refute another argument.
counterattack
nounverbverb-intransitive+1B2
/ˈkaʊntərəˌtæk/An attack made in response to an attack by an enemy or opponent.
counterattraction
nounC2
/ˌkaʊntərəˈtrækʃ(ə)n/A rival attraction; something that draws attention, interest, or people away from something else.
counterbalance
nounverbverb-ambitransitiveC1-C2
/ˈkaʊntəˌbæləns/a force, influence, or weight that balances or offsets another.
counterbid
nounC1
/ˈkaʊn.tə.bɪd/A higher or competing bid made in response to another bid, especially in an auction or corporate takeover.
counterblast
nounC2
/ˈkaʊntəblɑːst/A forceful public reply or rebuttal, especially in speech or writing, that is intended to counter an opposing argument.
counterblow
nounC2 (Low)
/ˈkaʊn.tə.bləʊ/A blow given in return for one received; a retaliatory strike or attack.
counterbore
nounverb-transitiveLow
/ˈkaʊntəbɔː/A cylindrical flat-bottomed enlargement of a drilled hole, designed to allow a screw or bolt head to sit flush with or below a surface.
counterbrace
nounVery low (technical/specialist)
/ˈkaʊn.tə.breɪs/A brace, prop, or support set in opposition to another to strengthen a structure or resist pressure.
counterchange
verbverb-transitiveC2 (Very Low Frequency)
/ˌkaʊntəˈtʃeɪndʒ/to change or alter something so that parts are reciprocally or mutually exchanged.
countercharge
nounverbverb-transitiveC1/C2
/ˈkaʊn.təˌtʃɑːdʒ/A charge or accusation made in response to one made against oneself; a retaliatory accusation.
countercheck
nounverbverb-transitiveC2
/ˈkaʊntətʃek/A check or restraint that opposes or verifies another.
counterclaim
nounverbverb-ambitransitiveC1
/ˈkaʊntəkleɪm/A claim made to rebut a previous claim.
counterconditioning
nounLow frequency
/ˌkaʊntəkənˈdɪʃ(ə)nɪŋ/A behavioral therapy technique where an unwanted response to a stimulus is replaced by a new, desired response.
countercoup
nounC2
/ˈkaʊn.tə.kuː/A coup d'état undertaken in response to or to reverse a previous coup.

Showing 11181–11200 of 13732 words.