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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)

canticum
nounC2
/ˈkæn.tɪ.kəm/A direct borrowing from Latin, meaning 'song' or 'chant'.
cantigny
nounVery Low
/ˈkæntɪnji/A proper noun, the name of a village in northern France, famous as the site of the first major American offensive of World War I in May 1918.
cantilena
nounC2
/ˌkæntɪˈleɪnə/A simple, lyrical, and flowing melody or song.
cantilever
nounverbverb-intransitive+1C2
/ˈkantɪliːvə/A long projecting beam or girder fixed at only one end, used in bridge or building construction.
cantilever bridge
nounLow frequency
/ˈkantɪliːvə brɪdʒ/A bridge made of projecting beams (cantilevers) that are supported only at one end and meet in the middle.
cantilever foundation
nounC1+
/ˈkæn.tɪ.liː.və faʊnˈdeɪ.ʃən/A deep foundation that transfers building loads to a solid layer of soil or rock through a series of slender, beam-like vertical or angled concrete elements (piles) topped with a pile cap.
cantillate
verbverb-transitiveVery Low
/ˈkæntɪleɪt/To chant or intone with a melodic, often ritualistic, rhythm.
cantillation
nounC2/Rare
/ˌkæn.tɪˈleɪ.ʃən/The ritual chanting or intonation of sacred texts, especially in Jewish liturgy, where specific melodic patterns are applied to the Hebrew Bible.
cantillon
nounVery Low
/ˈkæntɪlən/A proper noun referring to a surname, primarily known from Richard Cantillon (1680s–1734), an Irish-born economist and banker whose work influenced modern economics.
cantina
nounC1
/kænˈtiːnə/A bar or simple restaurant, especially one in a Spanish-speaking country or a casual cafe/bar in an American (particularly southwestern) context.
canting arms
plural-nounC2 (Very low frequency)
/ˈkæntɪŋ ˈɑːmz/A coat of arms, often medieval or early modern, which features a visual pun or rebus on the bearer's name.
cantle
nounRare / Specialized
/ˈkant(ə)l/A segment, a corner, or a detached piece of something; specifically, the raised rear part of a saddle.
cantling
nounC2 / Extremely Rare / Archaic
/ˈkantlɪŋ/A small piece, fragment, or section of something.
canto
nounC1+
/ˈkæntəʊ/One of the major divisions of a long poem, particularly in epic poetry.
canto fermo
nounVery low (specialist/technical)
/ˌkantəʊ ˈfɜːməʊ/A style of early, unmeasured vocal music, particularly plainsong or plainchant.
canton
nounverbverb-transitiveC2
/ˈkantɒn/A territorial subdivision, especially a state in Switzerland or a subdivision of a French department.
canton crepe
nounC2
/ˌkæn.tɒn ˈkreɪp/A distinct type of heavy, finely ribbed crepe fabric, historically made from raw silk.
canton enamel
nounVery Low / C2
/ˌkæntɒn ɪˈnæməl/A type of porcelain enamelware, typically featuring decorative and pictorial designs, historically produced in Guangzhou (Canton), China for the European export market.
canton flannel
nounRare/Technical
/ˌkæn.tən ˈflæn.əl/A strong, durable, and soft cotton fabric with a slight nap, typically woven with a twill or plain weave.
canton ginger
nounVery low/obsolete
/ˌkænˈtɒn ˈdʒɪn(d)ʒə/A specific, high-quality variety of preserved ginger, originally from Canton (Guangzhou) in China, characterized by its tender texture and sweet-syrup preservation.

Showing 1221–1240 of 13732 words.