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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)

counterculture
nounC1/C2
/ˈkaʊn.təˌkʌl.tʃər/A culture, especially of young people, with values or lifestyles that oppose those of the established mainstream culture.
countercurrent
nounC2
/ˈkaʊntəˌkʌrənt/A current flowing in an opposite direction to another current, typically immediately adjacent to it.
counterearth
nounVery Low
/ˈkaʊntərˌɜːθ/A hypothetical planet in an orbit opposite Earth, proposed in certain ancient astronomical systems.
countereconomy
nounVery low
/ˌkaʊn.tər.iˈkɒn.ə.mi/An economic system or set of practices that operates in opposition to or as an alternative to the dominant, formal economy.
counterespionage
nounC2
/ˌkaʊntərˈɛspɪənɑːʒ/Activities designed to detect, prevent, or thwart espionage conducted against one's own organization or country.
counterexample
nounC2 (Proficient)
/ˌkaʊntərɪɡˈzɑːmpl̩/A specific example or case that disproves a general statement, proposition, or theory.
counterfactual
adjectivenounLow (C1+), Academic/Specialised
/ˌkaʊn.təˈfæk.tʃu.əl/Relating to or expressing what has not actually happened or is not the case; a conditional statement about what might have been under different circumstances.
counterfeit
adjectivenounverb+2C1
/ˈkaʊntəfɪt/Made in exact imitation of something valuable or important with the intention to deceive or defraud.
counterfoil
nounC1
/ˈkaʊntəfɔɪl/The part of a cheque, ticket, or receipt that is kept as a record after the main part has been detached.
counterforce
nounC1/C2 (Low frequency, specialized)
/ˈkaʊn.tə.fɔːs/A force that opposes or balances another force.
counterfort
nounC2
/ˈkaʊntəfɔːt/A buttress or projection from a retaining wall to strengthen it against lateral pressure from soil or water.
counterglow
nounVery Low
/ˈkaʊntəˌɡləʊ/A faint patch of light in the night sky exactly opposite the sun's position.
counterinsurgency
adjectivenounC1/C2
/ˌkaʊntərɪnˈsɜːdʒənsi/Military and political actions taken by a government to defeat an insurgency or rebellion.
counterintelligence
nounC2
/ˌkaʊntərɪnˈtelɪdʒəns/Activities designed to prevent or thwart an enemy's intelligence gathering and espionage.
counterintuition
nounC1
/ˌkaʊn.tər.ɪn.tʃuˈɪʃ.ən/A concept, idea, or result that goes against what common sense or instinct would naturally expect.
counterirritant
adjectivenounC2
/ˌkaʊntərˈɪrɪt(ə)nt/A substance applied to the skin to produce superficial inflammation or irritation, intended to relieve deeper or more chronic pain.
counterjumper
nounVery Low (Archaic/Dated)
/ˈkaʊntəˌdʒʌmpə/A shop assistant or clerk, especially one perceived as unskilled, idle, or pretentious.
counterlight
nounverb-transitiveVery Low Frequency
/ˈkaʊn.tə.laɪt/A light that shines in opposition to the main source of illumination, often creating contrast or hindering visibility.
counterman
nounC1-C2/Rare
/ˈkaʊntəmən/A person, typically male, who serves customers from behind a counter, especially in a shop, diner, or ticket office.
countermand
nounverbverb-transitiveC2
/ˌkaʊntəˈmɑːnd/To revoke or cancel a previous order or instruction.

Showing 11201–11220 of 13732 words.