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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)

counterspy
nounC2 (Very low frequency)
/ˈkaʊn.tə.spaɪ/A spy employed by one side to detect and counteract the espionage activities of an opposing side's spies.
counterstain
nounverbverb-intransitive+1C2
/ˈkaʊn.tə.steɪn/A secondary stain applied to a biological specimen to contrast with or provide detail to the primary stain.
counterstamp
nounverb-transitiveC1/C2
/ˈkaʊn.tə.stæmp/A secondary stamp or impression made on a coin, medal, or metal object (often a foreign coin), typically by a local authority to validate it for use in a new region, or to alter its denomination or message.
counterstatement
nounC2 (Very low frequency; specialized)
/ˈkaʊntəˌsteɪtmənt/A statement made to contradict, oppose, or answer a previous statement or argument.
counterstroke
nounlow
/ˈkaʊn.tə.strəʊk/A retaliatory action or attack made in response to an initial attack.
countersubject
nounVery Low (C2)
/ˈkaʊntəˌsʌbdʒɪkt/In music, a secondary melodic theme in a fugue, introduced after the main subject and often appearing contrapuntally against it.
countersue
verb-intransitiveverb-transitiveC2
/ˈkaʊn.tə.suː/To sue someone in response to being sued by them.
countersuit
nounLow
/ˈkaʊn.tə.suːt/A legal claim made in response to a lawsuit filed against the claimant, typically asserting the original plaintiff is at fault.
countertenor
nounC2
/ˌkaʊntəˈtenə(r)/The highest male singing voice in classical music, produced using falsetto or head voice.
counterterrorism
nounC1-C2
/ˌkaʊn.təˈter.ə.rɪ.zəm/Activities, practices, and strategies designed to prevent, deter, and respond to terrorism.
countertop
adjectivenounHigh
/ˈkaʊn.tə.tɒp/A flat, hard surface in a kitchen, bathroom, or workshop, built on top of cupboards or a base, used for preparing food, placing objects, or working.
countertrade
nounverbC2
/ˈkaʊn.tə.treɪd/A form of international trade in which goods or services are exchanged for other goods or services, rather than for money.
countertransference
nounC2
/ˌkaʊntətrænsˈfɜːrəns/In psychoanalysis and therapy: the therapist's unconscious emotional reaction to and feelings about the client.
counterturn
nounRare / Literary
/ˈkaʊn.təˌtɜːn/A sudden change or reversal of fortune in a story, argument, or situation; an unexpected twist or turn in the opposite direction.
countertype
nounVery Low / Technical
/ˈkaʊntətaɪp/An ideal or standard example that serves as an opposite counterpart to another type; a contrasting model or archetype.
countervail
verbverb-intransitiveverb-transitiveC2
/ˌkaʊntəˈveɪl/To counteract or offset the effect of something by having an equal and opposite force.
countervailing duty
nounC2
/ˌkaʊntəˈveɪlɪŋ ˈdjuːti/A tariff imposed on imported goods to offset subsidies provided to producers or exporters by the government of the exporting country.
counterview
nounC2/Rare
/ˈkaʊn.tə.vjuː/An opposing or contrasting opinion or perspective, especially one presented in response to another.
counterweigh
verbverb-ambitransitiveC2/Rare
/ˌkaʊntəˈweɪ/to act against (something) with equal force; to balance, counteract, or offset.
counterweight
nounverb-transitiveC1
/ˈkaʊntəweɪt/A weight used to balance another weight, providing stability, equilibrium, or opposing force.

Showing 11261–11280 of 13732 words.