Words starting with C — 1,957 entries

The 1,957 dictionary words that begin with the letter C, in alphabetical order, each with its first definition. Accents do not affect filing: an accented initial is shelved under its base letter.

• Crow3 sensesA member of a Native American tribe of southern Montana.
• crowbar4 sensesAn iron or steel bar, often with a flattened end which may also be hook-shaped, to be used as a lever to manually force things apart.
• crowd14 sensesTo press forward; to advance by pushing.
• crowded1 senseContaining a dense pack or mass of something; teeming.
• Crowe1 senseA surname.
• Crowley5 sensesA surname.
• crown56 sensesA royal, imperial or princely headdress; a diadem.
• Crown3 sensesThe sovereign of a monarchy; often with reference to that of the Commonwealth realms.
• crowned3 sensesWearing a crown.
• crucial3 sensesEssential or decisive for determining the outcome or future of something; extremely important; vital.
• crucified1 sensethat has been subject to crucifixion
• crucify3 sensesTo execute (a person) by nailing to a cross.
• crude9 sensesIn a natural, untreated state.
• cruel6 sensesIntentionally causing or reveling in pain and suffering; merciless, heartless.
• cruelty2 sensesAn indifference to suffering or pleasure in inflicting suffering.
• cruise16 sensesA sea or lake voyage, especially one taken for pleasure.
• Cruise1 senseA surname from Anglo-Norman.
• cruiser12 sensesA frigate or other vessel, detached from the fleet, to cruise independently in search of the enemy or its merchant ships.
• cruising6 sensesSailing about without an exact destination, especially for pleasure.
• crumb9 sensesA small piece which breaks off from baked food (such as cake, biscuit or bread).
• Crumb1 senseA surname.
• crumble4 sensesTo fall apart; to disintegrate.
• Crumble1 senseA surname.
• crumbling3 sensesThat crumbles; that breaks into small pieces or particles.
• crumbs1 senseAn expression of mild surprise.
• crummy5 sensesBad; poor.
• crunch18 sensesTo crush something, especially food, with a noisy crackling sound.
• crunching1 senseA crunch noise.
• crunchy7 sensesLikely to crunch, especially with reference to food when it is eaten.
• crusade7 sensesAny war instigated and blessed by the Church for alleged religious ends, (especially) papal-sanctioned military campaigns against infidels or…
• Crusade1 senseAny of a series of religious campaigns by Christian forces from the 11th to the 13th century, mostly to capture the Holy Land from the Muslims and…
• crusader5 sensesA person engaged in a crusade.
• crush24 sensesA violent collision or compression; a crash; destruction; ruin.
• crushed3 sensesPulverized, rendered into small, disconnected fragments.
• crusher4 sensesSomeone or something that crushes.
• Crusher1 senseA surname
• crushing6 sensesThat crushes; overwhelming.
• crust13 sensesA more solid, dense or hard layer on a surface or boundary.
• Cruz2 sensesA surname from Ibero-Romance.
• cry17 sensesTo shed tears; to weep, especially in anger or sadness.
• crying4 sensesThat cries.
• crypt6 sensesAn underground vault.
• crystal8 sensesA solid composed of an array of atoms or molecules possessing long-range order and arranged in a pattern which is periodic in three dimensions.
• Crystal8 sensesA female given name from English.
• CSU1 senseThe Bavarian Christian Social Union (Christlich-Soziale Union), a major mainstream right-wing political party in Bavaria.
• CT2 sensesInitialism of computed tomography. A CT scan.
• cub11 sensesThe young of certain animals, chiefly large carnivorous mammals, including the bear, wolf, fox, lion and tiger.
• Cub2 sensesA member of the Cub Scouts.
• Cuba24 sensesA country, the largest island (based on land area) in the Caribbean. Capital and largest city: Havana.
• Cuban3 sensesA person from Cuba or of Cuban descent.
• cube12 sensesA regular polyhedron having six identical square faces.
• cubes1 senseTesticles.
• cubic4 sensesUsed in the names of units of volume formed by multiplying a unit of length by itself twice.
• cubicle3 sensesA small separate part or one of the compartments of a room, especially in a work environment.
• Cubs3 sensesCub Scouts
• cuckoo10 sensesAny of various birds, of the family Cuculidae within the order Cuculiformes, famous for laying its eggs in the nests of other species; but especially…
• Cuckoo1 senseA locality in Dorset council area, north eastern Tasmania, Australia.
• cucumber3 sensesA vine in the gourd family, Cucumis sativus.
• cuddle6 sensesAn intimate physical embrace, typically while lying (or sitting): a snuggle, an instance of lying together snugly, as one might with a partner (more…
• cuddly2 sensesSuitable for cuddling; designed to be cuddled.
• cue13 sensesThe name of the Latin script letter Q/q.
• Cue2 sensesA surname.
• cuff13 sensesThe end of a shirt sleeve that covers the wrist.
• Cuff1 senseA surname.
• cuisine4 sensesA characteristic manner or style of preparing food, often associated with a place of origin.
• culinary2 sensesRelating to the practice of cookery or the activity of cooking.
• Cullen12 sensesA village and former royal burgh in Moray council area, Scotland (OS grid ref NJ5167).
• culprit2 sensesThe person or thing at fault for a problem or crime.
• cult5 sensesThe veneration, devotion, and religious rites given to a deity (especially in a historical polytheistic context), or (in a Christian context) to a…
• cultivate3 sensesTo grow plants, notably crops.
• cultural2 sensesPertaining to culture.
• culture12 sensesThe arts, customs, lifestyles, background, and habits that characterize humankind, or a particular society or nation.
• cultured2 sensesLearned in the ways of civilized society; civilized; refined.
• cum6 sensesUsed in indicating a thing or person which has two or more roles, functions, or natures, or which has changed from one to another.
• CUM1 senseSynonym of North American Union.
• Cummings6 sensesA surname.
• cunning9 sensesSly; crafty; clever in surreptitious behaviour.
• Cunning1 senseA surname.
• cunningham1 senseA downhaul located at the tack of a sail, used for tightening the luff.
• Cunningham17 sensesA Scottish habitational surname and clan.
• cunt14 sensesThe female genitalia, especially the vulva.
• Cunt1 senseA surname.
• cup28 sensesA concave vessel for drinking, usually made of opaque material (as opposed to a glass) and with a handle.
• Cup3 sensesA particular trophy that is a cup; sometimes with the definite article "the".
• cupboard6 sensesA cabinet, closet, or other piece of furniture with shelves intended for storing cookware, dishware, or food; similar cabinets or closets used for…
• cupcake13 sensesA small cake baked in a usually paper container shaped like a cup, often with icing on top.
• cupid2 sensesA putto carrying a bow and arrow, representing Cupid or love.
• Cupid4 sensesThe god of love, son of Venus; sometimes depicted as a putto (a naked, winged boy with bow and arrow). The Roman counterpart of Eros.
• cups1 senseA suit of the minor arcana in tarot, bearing the symbol of a cup or chalice.
• curator5 sensesA person who manages, administers or organizes a collection, either independently or employed by a museum, library, archive or zoo.
• curb13 sensesA concrete margin along the edge of a road; a kerb (UK, Australia, New Zealand).
• cure21 sensesA method, device or medication that restores good health.
• Cure1 senseA surname.
• curfew7 sensesAny regulation requiring people to be off the streets and in their homes by a certain time.
• curiosity3 sensesInquisitiveness; the tendency to ask and learn about things by asking questions, investigating, or exploring.
• curious7 sensesTending to ask questions, or to want to explore or investigate; inquisitive; (with a negative connotation) nosy, prying.
• curl22 sensesA curving piece or lock of hair; a ringlet.
• Curl1 senseA surname.
• curls1 senseSpecifically, a body of curly hair on someone's head.
• curly4 sensesHaving curls.
• Curly3 sensesA nickname for a person with curly hair.
• currency5 sensesMoney or other items used to facilitate transactions.
• current8 sensesThe generally unidirectional movement of a gas or fluid.
• Current1 senseA surname.
• currently1 senseAt this moment, at present, now.
• curriculum3 sensesThe set of courses, coursework, and content offered at a school or university.
• curry13 sensesOne of a family of dishes originating from Indian cuisine, flavored by a spiced sauce.
• Curry10 sensesA surname from Irish, anglicized from Irish Ó Comhraidhe (“descendant of Comhraidhe”).
• curse10 sensesA supernatural detriment or hindrance; a bane.
• cursed5 sensesUnder some divine harm, malady, or other curse.
• curses1 senseExpression of annoyance or frustration.
• cursing1 senseThe act of one who curses.
• curt3 sensesBrief or terse, especially to the point of being rude.
• Curt2 sensesA short form of the male given name Curtis
• curtain10 sensesA piece of cloth covering a window, bed, etc. to offer privacy and keep out light.
• curtains4 sensesAn end or death.
• Curtis8 sensesAn English surname transferred from the nickname, originally a nickname for a refined or courtly person.
• curve15 sensesA bend, such as in a road.
• curved1 senseHaving a curve or curves; curving.
• cushion17 sensesA soft mass of material stuffed into a cloth bag, used for comfort or support.
• custard2 sensesA type of sauce made from milk and eggs (and usually sugar, and sometimes vanilla or other flavourings) and thickened by heat, served hot poured over…
• Custard1 senseA surname.
• Custer6 sensesA surname.
• custody4 sensesThe legal right to take care of something or somebody, especially children.
• custom16 sensesFrequent repetition of the same behavior; way of behavior common to many; ordinary manner; habitual practice; method of doing, living or behaving.
• customary3 sensesIn accordance with, or established by, custom or common usage.
• customer4 sensesA person or company who purchases or receives a product or service from a business or merchant or intends to do so.
• customs4 sensesThe duties or taxes imposed on imported or exported goods.
• cut83 sensesTo incise, to cut into the surface of something. To perform an incision on, for example with a knife.
• cute6 sensesPossessing physical features, behaviors, personality traits or other properties that are mainly attributed to infants and small or cuddly animals;…
• cutie3 sensesA cute person or animal.
• cutler1 senseOne whose business is making or dealing in cutlery.
• Cutler11 sensesA surname originating as an occupation.
• cuts1 senseCorporal punishment at school.
• cutter20 sensesA person or device that cuts (in various senses).
• Cutter1 senseA surname.
• cutting14 sensesThe action of the verb to cut.
• Cutting1 senseA surname.
• cuz2 sensesA cousin.
• Cy2 sensesA diminutive of the male given name Cyril.
• cyanide4 sensesAny compound containing the -C≡N group or the CN⁻ anion.
• cyber3 sensesOf, or having to do with, the Internet; alternative form of cyber-.
• cyborg3 sensesA being which is part machine and part organic.
• cycle23 sensesAn interval of space or time in which one set of events or phenomena is completed.
• cycling5 sensesThe activity of riding cycles, especially bicycles (for transport, sport, physical exercise, recreation, tourism...)
• cyclops5 sensesA one-eyed giant from Greek and Roman mythology.
• Cyclops1 sensePolyphemus, a cyclops character from Homer's Odyssey.
• cylinder10 sensesA surface created by projecting a closed two-dimensional curve along an axis intersecting the plane of the curve.
• Cylon2 sensesA male given name of historical usage. Cylon of Athens, an Athenian noble who attempted a coup in either 636 BCE or 632 BCE.
• cynical5 sensesOf or relating to the belief that human actions are motivated only or primarily by base desires or selfishness.
• Cynical1 senseOf or relating to the Cynics, a sect of Ancient Greek philosophers who believed virtue to be the only good and self-control to be the only means of…
• Cynthia3 sensesArtemis (Greek goddess).
• Cyprus3 sensesAn island and country in the Mediterranean Sea, normally considered politically part of Europe but geographically part of West Asia. Official name:…
• Cyril1 senseA male given name from Ancient Greek; best known for a ninth century missionary to the Slavs.
• Cyrus4 sensesAn ancient king of Persia, Cyrus the Great.
• Czech4 sensesOf, from, or pertaining to Czechia, the Czech people, culture, or language.
• Czechoslovakia1 senseA former country in Central Europe, now the Czech Republic and Slovakia; Carpathian Ruthenia, at the eastern end, became a part of Ukraine.