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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)

caprifig
nounVery Low
/ˈkaprɪfɪɡ/A wild fig tree (Ficus carica sylvestris) that produces male flowers and inedible figs, used primarily to pollinate cultivated female fig trees.
capriole
nounverbverb-intransitiveC2
/ˈkaprɪəʊl/A high leap or spring, especially where a horse leaps off the ground and kicks out with its hind legs.
capriote
nounVery Low / Archaic
/ˌkæpriˈəʊt/An inhabitant or native of the Italian island of Capri.
caprivi strip
nounVery low frequency (geography/history specialist term)
/kəˌpriːvi ˈstrɪp/A narrow strip of land extending from Namibia's northeastern border, reaching eastward to the Zambezi River.
caproate
nounVery Rare / Technical
/ˈkaprəʊeɪt/A salt or ester of caproic acid.
caproic acid
nounC2
/kəˌprəʊ.ɪk ˈæs.ɪd/A saturated fatty acid with six carbon atoms, found in animal fats and plant oils, with an unpleasant, rancid odor.
caprolactam
nounC2/Technical
/ˌkæprəʊˈlæktæm/An organic compound, a lactam derived from caproic acid, used primarily as a monomer in the production of nylon-6.
caprylic acid
nounC2
/kəˌprɪlɪk ˈæsɪd/A saturated fatty acid with eight carbon atoms, naturally occurring in various animal fats and plant oils.
capsaicin
nounC1
/kæpˈseɪ.ɪ.sɪn/The chemical compound that makes chilli peppers hot.
capsian
adjectivenounVery Low
/ˈkæpsiən/Relating to or denoting a North African Mesolithic and Neolithic culture of the 8th-2nd millennia BC, characterised by the use of microlithic tools and located primarily in modern-day Algeria and Tunisia.
capsicum
nounC1
/ˈkæpsɪkəm/A plant of the nightshade family (genus Capsicum), which produces fruits known as peppers, which vary greatly in size, colour, and pungency (heat).
capsid
nounC2/Technical
/ˈkapsɪd/The protein shell or outer coat of a virus particle, enclosing its genetic material (DNA or RNA).
capsize
verbverb-ambitransitiveC1
/kapˈsʌɪz/To overturn or cause to overturn in water (typically a boat or ship).
capsomere
nounC2
/ˈkapsəmɪə/A structural subunit of a virus capsid.
capstan
nounC1
/ˈkapst(ə)n/A rotating machine or spindle used for winding ropes or cables, typically on ships or in engineering.
capstan bar
nounC2 (Very Low Frequency / Specialized)
/ˈkæp.stən ˌbɑː/A long, heavy lever inserted into the head of a capstan (a vertical-axled rotating machine) to turn it manually, typically used on ships to raise anchors or haul heavy loads.
capstan lathe
nounC2
/ˈkæp.stən leɪð/A type of lathe used for repetitive production of identical parts, featuring a rotating cylindrical tool holder (capstan) that allows quick change between different cutting operations.
capstan table
nounLow
/ˈkap.stən ˌteɪ.bəl/A revolving circular table, historically used by engineers or cartographers, often found on ships for large charts or maps.
capstone
nounC1
/ˈkæp.stəʊn/a finishing stone placed at the top of a wall or structure, representing completion or culmination.
capsule
adjectivenounverb-transitiveB1
/ˈkæpsjuːl/A small, sealed container, often cylindrical, designed to hold a specific substance (like medicine) or to enclose and protect something.

Showing 1461–1480 of 13732 words.