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)

county commissioner
nounC1
/ˈkaʊn.ti kəˈmɪʃ.ən.ər/An elected or appointed official who serves on the governing board of a county in the United States and some other countries.
county court
nounB2
/ˌkaʊnti ˈkɔːt/A local court of law in England, Wales, and some other jurisdictions, dealing primarily with civil matters such as debt recovery, housing disputes, and personal injury claims.
county fair
nounB2
/ˈkaʊnti feə(r)/A public exhibition and entertainment event held annually in a county, typically featuring agricultural displays, competitions, amusement rides, food, and local crafts.
county farm
nounRare / Historical
/ˌkaʊnti ˈfɑːm/A historical term for a publicly-run agricultural institution where paupers, the poor, or minor offenders were sent to live and work.
county home
nounLow (C2)
/ˈkaʊn.ti ˌhəʊm/A residential institution, historically operated and funded by a county, for the care of the poor, elderly, or infirm.
county palatine
nounC2 / Very Rare
/ˌkaʊnti ˈpælətaɪn/A historical territorial division in England (and historically elsewhere in the British Isles) whose ruler (originally a count or earl) held royal privileges and jurisdiction independent of the monarch.
county seat
nounC1
/ˈkaʊnti siːt/The town or city that serves as the official administrative centre and location of government for a county.
county town
nounC1
/ˌkaʊnti ˈtaʊn/The main town or administrative centre of a county.
coup
nounC1
/kuː/A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government, typically by a small group. A brilliant, bold, or highly successful move or action.
coup d'essai
nounLow
/ˌkuː deɪˈseɪ/A trial attempt or test run; literally 'a stroke of trial/testing'.
coup d'etat
nounC1
/ˌkuː deɪˈtɑː/A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.
coup d'oeil
nounC2
/ˌkuː ˈdəɪ/A swift, comprehensive glance; a quick look that allows one to grasp a situation immediately.
coup de foudre
nounLow (C1/C2 vocabulary; literary/formal register)
/ˌkuː də ˈfuːdrə/A sudden, overwhelming love at first sight; literally 'a bolt of lightning'.
coup de grace
nounC1-C2
/ˌkuː də ˈɡrɑːs/A final, decisive, and merciful blow or act that ends something, especially a person or an endeavour, which is suffering or doomed.
coup de main
nounC2
/ˌkuː də ˈmæ̃/A sudden, forceful attack intended to achieve rapid victory; a surprise military assault.
coup de maitre
nounC2
/kuː də ˈmeɪ.trə/A masterstroke; a masterful or brilliantly skillful move or achievement.
coup de poing
nounLow/Very Low
/ˌkuː də ˈpwæ̃/A sudden, forceful punch or blow with the fist; a literal physical strike.
coup de theatre
nounC2
/ˌkuː də teɪˈɑːtr(ə)/A sudden, dramatic turn of events in a play or in real life; a highly theatrical, unexpected development that changes the situation.
coup stick
nounC2 / Very Low / Archaic/Technical
/ˈkuː stɪk/A decorated stick or lance used by some Native American tribes, particularly Plains tribes, to touch an enemy in battle as a demonstration of bravery without killing them.
coupe
nounB2
/ˈkuːpeɪ/A style of car with a fixed roof and two doors, typically with a sloping rear; historically, a car with a closed body and a single bench seat or no rear seat.

Showing 11321–11340 of 13732 words.