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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)

cross river
nounB1 (Intermediate)
/krɒs ˈrɪvə/To travel from one bank of a river to the opposite bank.
cross river gorilla
nounC2
/ˌkrɒs ˈrɪvə ɡəˈrɪlə/A critically endangered subspecies of the western gorilla, found only in a small region along the border between Nigeria and Cameroon, near the Cross River.
cross sea
nounLow
/ˌkrɒs ˈsiː/A sea state where wave systems travel in opposing or diagonal directions, often creating a dangerous, choppy, and chaotic pattern on the water's surface.
cross section
nounB2
/ˌkrɒs ˈsek.ʃən/A surface or shape that is revealed when something is cut through completely, or a representative sample of a larger group.
cross street
nounB1
/ˈkrɒs striːt/A street that intersects a main street or another street at a right angle.
cross stroke
nounLow
/ˈkrɒs ˌstrəʊk/A horizontal line that intersects a vertical or diagonal line in writing or typography.
cross talk
nounB2
/ˈkrɒs tɔːk/Interference or unwanted transmission of signals between communication channels or circuits, causing one channel to affect another.
cross training
nounC1
/ˈkrɒs ˌtreɪ.nɪŋ/Training in multiple sports or activities to improve overall fitness and prevent overuse injuries.
cross vault
nounLow (Specialized Term)
/krɒs vɔːlt/An architectural structure formed by the intersection of two barrel vaults at right angles, creating a ceiling or roof with diagonal arched ribs.
cross wind
nounC1
/ˈkrɒs wɪnd/A wind blowing perpendicularly or at a significant angle to the intended direction of travel, particularly of a vehicle, ship, or aircraft.
cross wire
nounLow
/ˈkrɒs ˌwaɪə/A situation where two communication signals or lines of thought become confused, mistaken for, or interfere with one another.
cross wires
plural-nounLow (idiom/phrase)
/ˌkrɒs ˈwaɪəz/To cause confusion, misunderstanding, or miscommunication, especially through mixed signals or contradictory information.
cross-action
nounC2
/ˈkrɒs ækʃən/A separate legal claim brought by a defendant against the plaintiff in the same lawsuit, in response to the original claim.
cross-bearer
nounLow Frequency
/ˈkrɒs ˌbeə.rər/A person who carries a cross, especially in a religious procession.
cross-bench
nounC1
/ˈkrɒsˌbentʃ/Relating to members of a legislative assembly who do not consistently support any single political party.
cross-buttock
nounVery Rare / Archaic / Niche (Sports History)
/ˌkrɒs ˈbʌtək/A specific throw or trip in wrestling, particularly in styles like Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, where the attacker uses their hip to throw the opponent over it.
cross-check
nounverb-transitiveB2
/ˌkrɒs ˈtʃek/to verify information by consulting an alternative source or method.
cross-contaminate
verb-transitiveC1
/ˌkrɒs kənˈtæm.ɪ.neɪt/To cause a harmful substance or microorganism to spread from one source to another, rendering the second source impure or dangerous.
cross-contamination
nounC1/C2
/ˌkrɒs kənˌtæm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/The accidental transfer of harmful substances (like bacteria, allergens, or chemicals) from one object, surface, or food to another.
cross-correlation
nounC1/C2
/ˌkrɒs kɒrəˈleɪʃ(ə)n/A statistical measure quantifying the similarity between two signals, datasets, or time series as one is shifted relative to the other.

Showing 12341–12360 of 13732 words.