English words starting with C

920 words, from Cabbage to Cynicism. Levels A1 to C2. Each one opens a full lesson.

← B Search the dictionary D →

Cabbagenoun · A round green or white vegetable with thick leaves.A1 Cabinnoun · A small room on a ship or plane, or a small wooden house.A2 Cabinetnoun · The group of senior government ministers; also a piece of furniture with doors and shelves.B2 Cablenoun · A thick wire that carries electricity or signals.A2 Cacophonynoun · A mixture of loud, unpleasant sounds.C2 Cactusnoun · A plant with thick stems and sharp spines that grows in dry places.A1 Cadencenoun · The rise and fall of the voice, or a measured rhythm in sound or movement.C2 Cafenoun · A small place that serves drinks and simple food.A2 Cafeterianoun · A self-service restaurant, especially in a hospital, college, or workplace.B1 Cafetierenoun · A coffee pot with a plunger that pushes the grounds down (UK; also cafetière; US French press).B1 Caffeinenoun · A stimulant found in coffee, tea, and some soft drinks (usually uncountable).B2 Cagenoun · A box of bars for a bird or a small animal.A1 Cagoulenoun · A thin, lightweight waterproof jacket (UK).B1 Cajoleverb · To persuade someone by pleasant talk or flattery.C2 Cakenoun · A sweet food made from flour, eggs, and sugar, often for birthdays.A1 Cake Tinnoun · A metal container for baking or storing a cake (UK).B1 Calamitynoun · A sudden event that causes great damage or distress.C1 Calculateverb · To find a number or amount by using mathematics.B1 Calculationnoun · The process of using numbers to find an answer; also a careful judgement of risk.B1 Calculatornoun · A small electronic device used for calculating.B1 Calendarnoun · A chart or system that shows the days, weeks, and months of a year.B1 Calfnoun · A young cow, or the back of the lower leg (plural calves).B2 Callverb · To phone someone, or to say someone’s name loudly.A1 Call Centrenoun · An office where staff answer telephone enquiries (UK spelling centre).B1 Callousadjective · Not caring about other people’s suffering.C1 Callowadjective · Young and inexperienced, and showing it (literary / disapproving).C2 Calmadjective · Peaceful and not worried, angry, or excited.A2 Calorienoun · A unit for measuring the energy in food.B2 Calumnynoun · A false, damaging statement; slander (formal).C2 Camcordernoun · A portable camera that records moving pictures and sound.B1 Camelnoun · A large desert animal with one or two humps on its back.A1 Cameranoun · A device for taking photographs or film.A1 Camouflagenoun · Colouring or covering that hides someone or something by matching the background; also the verb to hide in that way.B2 Campverb · To stay in a tent for a short time.A2 Campaignnoun · A planned set of activities to achieve a political, business, or social goal.B1 Campaignernoun · A person who works in an organised way to change a law or public opinion.B1 Campingnoun · The activity of staying in a tent on holiday.A2 Campsitenoun · A place where people stay in tents or caravans, often with toilets and showers.B1 Campusnoun · The land and buildings of a university or college.B1 Canverb · Used to say that something is possible, or that you know how.A1 Can Openernoun · A tool for opening tins of food (UK also a tin opener).B1 Canalnoun · A long, narrow waterway made by people for boats or to carry water.B1 Canardnoun · A false or unfounded story, often spread on purpose.C2 Cancelverb · To say that a planned event will not happen.B1 Cancellationnoun · The act of stopping a planned event, service, or order.B2 Cancernoun · A serious disease in which harmful cells grow in the body.A2 Candidadjective · Honest and direct, even when the truth is uncomfortable.C1 Candidacynoun · The fact of being a candidate in an election or for a post.B1 Candidatenoun · A person who is trying to get a job, a place on a course, or a political position.B1 Candlenoun · A stick of wax with a string that you burn to give light.A2 Canenoun · The hollow stem of plants such as sugar cane or bamboo; also a walking stick.B2 Cannonnoun · A large, heavy gun, formerly on ships or in forts (plural often unchanged: cannon).B2 Canoenoun · A light, narrow boat, pointed at both ends, moved with a paddle.B2 Canopynoun · The highest layer of branches and leaves in a forest, or a covering over a bed or entrance.B2 Cantankerousadjective · Bad-tempered and argumentative, often in an old, stubborn way.C2 Canteennoun · A place in a school, factory, or office where meals are served.B1 Canvasnoun · Strong cloth used for tents or sails, or the cloth an artist paints on.B2 Canyonnoun · A deep valley with steep sides, usually carved by a river.B2 Capnoun · A soft hat with a hard part at the front.A1 Capabilitynoun · The ability or power to do something.B2 Capableadjective · Having the skill or power to do something.B1 Capaciousadjective · Having a lot of space; roomy.C2 Capacitynoun · The amount something can hold or produce, or a person’s ability to do something.B2 Capenoun · A sleeveless cloak; also a piece of land jutting into the sea.B2 Capitalnoun · The city where a country’s government is.A2 Capitaliseverb · To write a letter as a capital; also to provide money for a firm, or to take advantage of something (capitalise on).B2 Capitalismnoun · An economic system in which trade and industry are mainly privately owned.B1 Capitalistadjective · Based on private ownership and profit; as a noun, a person who supports that system.B1 Capitulateverb · To cease to resist; to surrender, often after terms.C2 Capriciousadjective · Changing mood or mind unpredictably, without a good reason.C2 Capsulenoun · A small case that holds medicine, seeds, or a spacecraft cabin.B2 Captainnoun · The leader of a team, ship, or aircraft.A2 Captionnoun · A short piece of text that explains a picture, graph, or cartoon.B1 Captiousadjective · Always finding trivial faults; nitpicking (formal / disapproving).C2 Captivateverb · To attract and hold someone’s attention strongly.B2 Captivenoun · A person or animal that is not free; as an adjective, held and unable to escape.B2 Captivitynoun · The state of being kept as a prisoner or in a zoo (usually uncountable).B2 Captureverb · To catch a person or animal, or to record an image, sound, or feeling.B2 Carnoun · A vehicle with four wheels for people to travel in.A1 Car Bootnoun · The storage space at the back of a car (UK; US trunk).B1 Car Parknoun · An area or building where cars can be left (UK; US parking lot).B1 Caravannoun · A vehicle that you can live in on holiday, towed behind a car (UK; US camper / trailer).B1 Carbohydratenoun · A compound of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen that is a source of energy in food (often carbohydrates).B2 Carbonnoun · A chemical element in all living things, also used when talking about carbon dioxide and climate.B2 Cardnoun · A piece of stiff paper, for example a birthday card or a bank card.A1 Cardboardnoun · Thick stiff paper used for boxes and models (often uncountable).B1 Cardigannoun · A knitted jacket that opens at the front and is fastened with buttons or a zip.B1 Careverb · To look after someone, or to feel that something is important.A2 Careernoun · A job or series of jobs that you do for a long time.B1 Carefuladjective · Giving attention so that you do not make a mistake or have an accident.A2 Carefullyadverb · In a way that pays attention and avoids mistakes or danger.A2 Carelessadjective · Not paying enough attention, so you make mistakes.A2 Carernoun · A person who looks after someone ill, disabled, or old, often unpaid (UK).B1 Caretakernoun · A person who looks after a building; also someone in a job only for a short time (a caretaker manager).B1 Cargonoun · Goods carried by a ship, plane, or lorry.B1 Caricaturenoun · A drawing or description that exaggerates features, often to mock; as a verb, to portray that way.B2 Carnivalnoun · A public festival with music, processions, and often costumes.B2 Carpenternoun · A person whose job is to make and repair wooden structures.B2 Carpetnoun · A thick covering for a floor.A1 Carpingadjective · Continually complaining about small faults (disapproving).C2 Carriagenoun · One section of a train that passengers sit in; also the cost of delivering goods.B1 Carriernoun · A company that transports people or goods; also a person who can pass on a disease without being ill.B1 Carrier Bagnoun · A plastic or paper bag from a shop, used to carry shopping (UK).B1 Carrotnoun · A long orange vegetable that grows in the ground.A1 Carryverb · To hold something and take it from one place to another.A2 Cartoonnoun · A funny drawing, or a short film made from drawings that move.A2 Carveverb · To cut a solid material into a shape, or to cut meat; also to create a role or career (carve out).B2 Cascadenoun · A small waterfall, or a sequence of things falling or following one after another; as a verb, to fall in that way.B2 Casenoun · A particular situation or example; also a cover for a phone.A2 Cashnoun · Money in the form of notes and coins, not a card or cheque.B1 Cash Machinenoun · A machine that gives you money from your bank account (UK; also a cashpoint or ATM).B1 Cashiernoun · A person who takes payments in a shop or bank.B1 Cashpointnoun · A machine that gives you money from your bank account (UK; also ATM).B1 Casinonoun · A building where people gamble on games of chance.B2 Cassettenoun · A small plastic case of tape for recording sound or video (a cassette tape).B2 Castnoun · The group of actors in a play or film; also to throw something.B1 Castenoun · A hereditary social class, especially in some South Asian societies.B2 Castigateverb · To criticise someone or something severely (formal).C2 Castingnoun · The process of choosing actors, or an object shaped in a mould.B2 Castlenoun · A large, strong building from the past, often with thick walls.A2 Casualadjective · Informal, especially of clothes or attitude; also not regular, as in a casual job.B1 Casualtynoun · A person injured or killed in an accident or war; also, in British English, a hospital emergency department.B2 Catnoun · A small animal that people often keep at home.A1 Cat Flapnoun · A small swinging door in a larger door, for a cat to go in and out.B1 Cataloguenoun · A complete list of items, often with descriptions.B2 Catalystnoun · Something that causes a change to happen more quickly.C1 Catastrophenoun · A sudden event that causes great damage or suffering.B2 Catastrophicadjective · Extremely damaging; causing a catastrophe.B2 Catchverb · To stop and hold something that is moving, such as a ball or a bus.A1 Catchmentnoun · The area from which a school or hospital takes its pupils or patients (a catchment area).B1 Categoricaladjective · Expressed clearly and without any doubt.C1 Categoriseverb · To put people or things into groups according to type (British spelling).B2 Categorynoun · A group of people or things that share particular features.B2 Caterverb · To provide food for an event; also to provide what a group needs (cater for).B2 Cateringnoun · The work of providing food and drink for events or organisations.B1 Caterpillarnoun · A small long animal that eats leaves and later becomes a butterfly.A1 Catflapnoun · A small swinging door in a larger door, so a cat can go in and out (also cat flap).B1 Catharsisnoun · The release of strong feeling, with a sense of relief (literary / psychological).C2 Cathedralnoun · The principal church of a diocese, where a bishop has their seat.B2 Cattlenoun · Cows and bulls kept on a farm for meat or milk.B1 Cauliflowernoun · A vegetable with a large white head of tight flowers and green leaves.A1 Causaladjective · Relating to a cause, or showing that one thing makes another happen.B2 Causenoun · A person, event, or situation that makes something happen.B1 Causticadjective · Bitterly sarcastic; also able to burn by chemical action.C2 Cautionnoun · Care taken to avoid danger; also a formal warning from the police.B2 Cautionaryadjective · Giving a warning, especially as a story or example.B2 Cautiousadjective · Careful to avoid problems or danger.B2 Cautiouslyadverb · In a careful way, to avoid risk.B1 Cavenoun · A large hole in the side of a hill or under the ground.A2 Caveatnoun · A warning that something may not be true in every case.C1 Cavilverb · To make petty objections (cavil at); also a noun: a quibble.C2 Cavitynoun · A hole or empty space inside a solid object, a tooth, or the body.B2 CCTVnoun · Closed-circuit television used to film public places (UK).B1 Ceaseverb · To stop happening or to stop doing something.B2 Ceasefirenoun · An agreement to stop fighting for a period.B2 Ceilingnoun · The inside top surface of a room.A2 Celebrateverb · To do something enjoyable because of a special event.A2 Celebrationnoun · A special event or activity to mark something good.B2 Celebritynoun · A famous person, especially in entertainment.B2 Celeritynoun · Swiftness of movement or action (formal / literary).C2 Celerynoun · A green vegetable with long crisp sticks.A1 Cellnoun · The smallest part of a living thing; also a small room in a prison.B1 Cellarnoun · An underground room used for storage, especially of wine, beer, or coal.B1 Cementnoun · A powder mixed with water to bind building materials; as a verb, to bind, or to make a relationship or deal more definite.B2 Cemeterynoun · An area of land where dead people are buried.B1 Censorverb · To remove or ban parts of a book, film, or letter that are considered offensive or secret.C1 Censorshipnoun · The practice of officially controlling what may be published or shown.C1 Censurenoun · Strong official criticism (also a verb: to censure).C2 Censusnoun · An official count of the population of a country.B2 Centnoun · A small unit of money; 100 cents make one dollar or euro.A2 Centenarynoun · The 100th anniversary of an event (British).B2 Centimetrenoun · A unit of length; there are 100 centimetres in a metre.A2 Centraladjective · In the middle of a place, or most important.A2 Central Heatingnoun · A system that heats a whole building from one boiler (often uncountable).B1 Centraliseverb · To move control to one central place (UK spelling).B1 Centrenoun · The middle of something, or a building for a particular activity.A1 Centurynoun · A period of one hundred years.A2 Ceramicnoun · Clay baked hard as pottery, tiles, or similar; as an adjective, made of that material.B2 Cerealnoun · A breakfast food made from grain, usually eaten with milk.A1 Ceremonialadjective · Connected with a public or religious ceremony, often formal rather than practical.B2 Ceremonynoun · A formal event for a special occasion.A2 Certainadjective · Sure; without doubt.B1 Certainlyadverb · Used to say that something is definitely true, or to agree strongly.A2 Certaintynoun · The state of being sure; also something that is sure to happen.B2 Certificatenoun · An official paper that shows a fact, such as a result or a qualification.A2 Certifyverb · To state officially that something is true or of a stated standard.B1 Chagrinnoun · Annoyance or disappointment at having failed or been humiliated (formal).C2 Chainnoun · A line of metal rings joined together, or a group of shops with the same name.A2 Chairnoun · A seat for one person.A1 Chairmannoun · The person in charge of a meeting, company board, or committee (often chair in modern use).B1 Chairpersonnoun · The person who leads a meeting or committee (gender-neutral).B1 Chalknoun · A soft white or coloured stick used for writing on a blackboard.A1 Challengenoun · Something difficult that needs effort and skill.B1 Chambernoun · A large room for formal meetings; also one house of a parliament (the chamber).B2 Champagnenoun · A sparkling white wine from the Champagne region of France (often uncountable as a type).B2 Championnoun · The winner of a competition.A2 Championshipnoun · A competition to find the best player or team.A2 Chancenoun · A possibility that something will happen, or an opportunity.A2 Chancellornoun · In the UK, the government minister in charge of the economy (the Chancellor of the Exchequer); also the ceremonial head of some universities.B1 Changeverb · To become different, or to make something different.A2 Changing Roomnoun · A room where you change clothes for sport or shopping (UK).B1 Channelnoun · A television station, or a narrow area of water.A2 Chantverb · To repeat a word or phrase rhythmically, or to sing a simple religious melody; also that song as a noun.B2 Chaosnoun · A state of complete confusion and lack of order.B1 Chaoticadjective · In a state of complete confusion and lack of order.B1 Chapatinoun · A thin, round flatbread, often eaten with curry.B1 Chapelnoun · A small building or room for Christian worship, often in a school, hospital, or large church.B2 Chapternoun · A main numbered section of a book.B1 Characternoun · A person in a book, play, or film.A2 Characterisationnoun · The way a writer presents a person in a story; also a description of what something is like (UK spelling).B2 Characteriseverb · To describe the typical features of something (UK spelling).B1 Characteristicnoun · A typical quality or feature of a person, place, or thing.B1 Charcoalnoun · A black carbon material from burnt wood, used for drawing or fuel (often uncountable).B2 Chargenoun · The amount of money you have to pay for a service.B1 Chargernoun · A device that puts electricity into a battery, especially for a phone.B1 Charitableadjective · Connected with a charity; also kind in how you judge someone.B1 Charitynoun · An organisation that helps people or animals in need.B1 Charlatannoun · A person who claims skill or knowledge they do not have.C2 Charmnoun · A pleasant quality that attracts people; also a small object thought to bring luck.B1 Charmingadjective · Pleasant and attractive in manner or appearance.B1 Chartnoun · A table or graph of information, or a list of popular songs.A2 Charternoun · An official document that sets out rights or aims; also, to hire a plane or boat.B2 Chaseverb · To run after someone or something in order to catch them.B1 Chatverb · To talk in a friendly, informal way.A2 Cheapadjective · Costing little money.A2 Cheatverb · To act dishonestly in order to gain an advantage, especially in a test or game.B1 Checkverb · To look at something to make sure it is correct or safe.B1 Check-Innoun · The act of registering your arrival (at an airport, hotel, or clinic).B1 Check-Upnoun · A medical examination when you are not necessarily ill.B1 Checklistnoun · A list of things that you must do, take, or check.B1 Checkoutnoun · The place in a shop where you pay for goods.A2 Cheeknoun · The soft part of the face below the eye; also rude talk (cheek).B1 Cheerverb · To shout in support or praise; as a noun, that shout, or a mood of happiness (often cheers).B2 Cheerfuladjective · Happy and showing it; making other people feel happier.B1 Cheesenoun · A food made from milk, often yellow or white.A1 Cheese Graternoun · A grater used especially for shredding cheese.B1 Cheetahnoun · A large wild cat with black spots that can run very fast.A1 Chefnoun · A person whose job is to cook food, especially in a restaurant.A1 Chemicalnoun · A substance used in or produced by a chemical process.B1 Chemistnoun · A shop that sells medicine, or the person who works there.A2 Chemistrynoun · The science of substances and how they change; also the way two people get on.B1 Chequenoun · A printed paper that tells a bank to pay money from your account.A2 Cherishverb · To care for something lovingly, or to keep a hope or memory dear.B2 Cherrynoun · A small round red fruit with a stone inside.A1 Chessnoun · A board game for two people with black and white pieces, including kings and pawns.A1 Chewverb · To break food between the teeth; chew over means to think about something slowly.B2 Chewing Gumnoun · A sweet you chew for a long time but do not swallow (often uncountable).B1 Chicanerynoun · The use of clever, dishonest tricks, especially in law or politics (formal).C2 Chicknoun · A baby bird, especially a baby chicken.A1 Chickennoun · A bird kept for eggs and meat, or the meat from it.A1 Chiefadjective · Most important; as a noun, the leader of an organisation or group.B1 Childnoun · A young person.A1 Childcarenoun · The care of children while parents work (often uncountable).B1 Childhoodnoun · The time of life when you are a child.A2 Childmindernoun · A person paid to look after children in their own home (UK).B1 Childrennoun · The plural of child: more than one young person.A1 Chillinoun · A hot pepper used in cooking (UK spelling chilli).B1 Chimeranoun · A hoped-for thing that is illusory; also a mythological monster.C2 Chimneynoun · A pipe or tall part of a building that takes smoke out from a fire.A1 Chimpanzeenoun · A clever African ape, smaller than a gorilla, that lives in trees.A1 Chinnoun · The part of the face below the mouth.B1 Chip Shopnoun · A shop that sells fish and chips and similar takeaway food (UK).B1 Chippynoun · A shop that sells fish and chips (UK informal; also a chip shop).B1 Chipsnoun · Long pieces of potato fried in oil (British). American English often says fries.A1 Chocolatenoun · A sweet brown food made from cocoa.A2 Choicenoun · The act of choosing, or the thing you choose.A2 Choirnoun · A group of people who sing together, especially in a church or school.B1 Cholericadjective · Easily made angry; hot-tempered (formal / literary).C2 Cholesterolnoun · A fatty substance in blood and cells, often discussed in health reports (usually uncountable).B2 Chooseverb · To pick one thing from several options.A2 Chopverb · To cut something into pieces with a knife or similar tool.B1 Chopsticksnoun · A pair of thin sticks used for eating, especially East Asian food (plural).B1 Chordnoun · A group of notes played together; also (in maths) a straight line joining two points on a curve.B2 Chorusnoun · The repeated part of a song, or a group of singers; in drama, a group that comments on the action.B2 Christmas Cardnoun · A greetings card sent at Christmas.B1 Chronicadjective · Lasting for a long time, especially of an illness (the opposite of acute).C1 Chroniclenoun · A factual written record of events in order; as a verb, to record them that way.B2 Chronologicaladjective · Arranged in the order in which events happened.B2 Chuffedadjective · Very pleased (UK informal).B1 Chunknoun · A thick piece of something, or a substantial block of text or data.B2 Churchnoun · A building for Christian worship.A2 Churchyardnoun · The land around a church, often used as a burial ground.B1 Churlishadjective · Rude or mean-spirited, especially when generosity or thanks was expected.C2 Cinemanoun · A place where you pay to watch films.A1 Circapreposition · About; used before a date when the exact year is not known (abbreviated c.).B2 Circlenoun · A round shape, or a group of people.A2 Circuitnoun · A circular route, especially in sport; also a path for electricity.B1 Circuitousadjective · Long and indirect, of a route or an explanation.C2 Circularnoun · An official letter or notice sent to many people; as an adjective, shaped like a circle.B1 Circulateverb · To move around a group or system, or to pass from person to person.C1 Circulationnoun · Movement around a system, or the number of copies a newspaper or magazine sells.C1 Circumlocutionnoun · Talking in a roundabout way in order to avoid the point.C2 Circumscribeverb · To restrict something within limits (formal).C2 Circumspectadjective · Careful not to take risks; thinking before you act or speak.C2 Circumstancenoun · A fact or condition that affects a situation.B2 Circumventverb · To find a way around a rule or problem, often without breaking it openly.C1 Circusnoun · A show with clowns, acrobats, and sometimes animals, often in a large tent.A1 Cisternnoun · A tank that holds water, especially the one that fills a toilet.B1 Citationnoun · A quotation or reference to a source, or an official mention of someone.C1 Citeverb · To mention a book, person, or fact as support for what you say.B2 Citizennoun · A person who has the legal right to live in a country and receive its protection.B1 Citizenshipnoun · The legal right to belong to a particular country; also the duties of a citizen.B1 Citynoun · A large town.A1 Civicadjective · Relating to the duties and public life of citizens in a city or state.C1 Civiladjective · Connected with ordinary people, not the army or the Church; also polite.B1 Civiliannoun · A person who is not a member of the armed forces or the police.C1 Civilisationnoun · A society with its own culture, laws, and technology; also developed city life (UK spelling).B1 Civiliseverb · To bring a society into a more organised or “developed” way of life (often biased in older sources; British spelling).B2 Claimverb · To say that something is true, often without proof.B1 Claimantnoun · A person who claims a benefit, a refund, or something in court.B1 Clamournoun · A loud confused noise of people, or a noisy public demand (British spelling); as a verb, to demand that way.B2 Clannoun · A group of families claiming a common ancestor, or an informal close group.B2 Clandestineadjective · Secret, especially because illicit or unofficial.C2 Clapverb · To hit your hands together to show you like something.B1 Clarificationnoun · An explanation that makes something clearer.B1 Clarifyverb · To make something easier to understand.B2 Claritynoun · The quality of being clear in expression or thought.C1 Clashnoun · A short fight or a strong disagreement; also a mismatch of colours, ideas, or times.B2 Claspverb · To hold tightly; as a noun, a fastener that holds two parts together.B2 Classnoun · A group of students who learn together.A1 Classicadjective · Typical, or of very high quality and lasting value.B1 Classicaladjective · Traditional and serious, especially music; also relating to ancient Greece or Rome.B2 Classificationnoun · The act of putting people or things into groups; also the group itself.B2 Classifiedadjective · Officially secret; also (classified ads) small private advertisements.B1 Classifyverb · To put people or things into groups according to type.B2 Classmatenoun · A person who is in the same class as you at school.A2 Classroomnoun · A room in a school where lessons happen.A1 Clausenoun · A group of words that forms part of a sentence; also a section of a legal document.B1 Clawnoun · A sharp curved nail on an animal’s foot; as a verb, to scratch with that (claw back means recover money).B2 Claynoun · A heavy, sticky soil that can be shaped when wet and hardened by heat (usually uncountable).B2 Cleanadjective · Not dirty.A1 Cleanernoun · A person whose job is to clean rooms or buildings.A2 Clearadjective · Easy to understand, see, or hear; also not blocked or cloudy.A2 Clearancenoun · Official permission; also the removal of things from a place (security clearance; slum clearance).B2 Clearlyadverb · In a way that is easy to see, hear, or understand.A2 Clemencynoun · Mercy, especially in reducing a punishment (formal).C2 Clergynoun · People ordained for religious duties, treated as a group (usually with the).B2 Clericaladjective · Relating to office work; a clerical error is a paperwork mistake.B1 Clerknoun · A person who does office work, such as keeping records.A2 Cleveradjective · Quick to learn or to think of good ideas.A1 Clichénoun · A phrase or idea that has been used so often that it is no longer fresh.C1 Clickverb · To press a button on a mouse or phone, or to make a short sharp sound.A2 Clientnoun · A person or organisation that uses the services of a professional or company.B2 Cliffnoun · A high, steep rock face, often next to the sea.A2 Climatenoun · The usual weather in a place over a long period.B1 Climaxnoun · The most intense or important point in a story, process, or event.B2 Climbverb · To go up something using your feet and often your hands.A2 Clingverb · To hold on tightly, or to refuse to give up an idea or hope (cling to).B2 Cling Filmnoun · Thin plastic film that sticks to itself, used to cover food (UK, often uncountable; US plastic wrap).B1 Clinicnoun · A place where people go for medical treatment or advice, often without staying overnight.B1 Clinicaladjective · Connected with the treatment of patients; also coldly practical, without emotion.B1 Clipboardnoun · A small board with a clip at the top for holding papers while you write.B1 Cloakroomnoun · A room where coats and bags are left; in some public places, also a polite word for toilets (UK).B1 Clobbernoun · Clothes, or the things you wear and carry (UK informal, often uncountable).B1 Clocknoun · A device that shows the time, usually on a wall or desk.A1 Clockwiseadverb · In the same direction as the hands of a clock; as an adjective, moving that way.B2 Clonenoun · An organism or cell that is a genetic copy of another; as a verb, to make that copy, or (informal) an identical copy of a product.B2 Closeverb · To shut something.A1 Closedadjective · Not open; not serving customers.A1 Closelyadverb · With great attention; also with little distance in space, time, or relationship.B2 Closurenoun · The act of shutting something permanently; also a sense that a difficult event is finished.B2 Clothnoun · Material made of cotton, wool, or similar; also a piece used for cleaning.B1 Clothesnoun · Things you wear, such as shirts, trousers, and dresses.A2 Clothes Pegnoun · A small clip for fastening wet clothes to a washing line (UK; US clothespin).B1 Clothingnoun · Clothes in general (uncountable, slightly formal).B1 Cloudnoun · A white or grey shape in the sky, made of water.A1 Cloudyadjective · With a lot of clouds in the sky.A1 Cloutnoun · Influence or power, especially political or economic (informal in news); also a heavy blow.B2 Clownnoun · A person in funny clothes and a red nose who makes people laugh, often at a circus.A1 Cloyingadjective · Too sweet or sentimental, so that it sickens rather than pleases.C2 Clubnoun · A group of people who meet for a sport or interest, or a place with music.A1 Cluenoun · A piece of information that helps you find the answer or understand something.B1 Clusternoun · A group of similar things close together; as a verb, to form that group.B2 Clutchverb · To hold something tightly; as a noun, the pedal that disconnects a car’s engine, or a tight grip.B2 Clutternoun · A messy collection of things; as a verb, to fill a space with that mess (often uncountable as a noun).B2 Coachnoun · A person who trains a team or learner to improve a skill.B1 Coalnoun · A black rock burned for heat and power (uncountable).B2 Coalesceverb · To come together to form one group or mass.C1 Coalitionnoun · A temporary alliance of groups, especially political parties, working together.C1 Coarseadjective · Rough in texture, or rude in language; also (of particles) not fine.B2 Coastnoun · The land next to the sea.B1 Coastaladjective · On or near the coast.B1 Coastlinenoun · The edge of the land next to the sea.B1 Coatnoun · A piece of clothing you wear over other clothes when it is cold.A1 Coat Hangernoun · A shaped frame for hanging a coat or shirt in a wardrobe (UK; also a hanger).B1 Coat Hooknoun · A hook on a wall or door for hanging a coat.B1 Coaxverb · To persuade someone gently, or to get something to work with patient effort.B2 Cockpitnoun · The area in a plane or racing car where the pilot or driver sits.B2 Cocktailnoun · A mixed drink, or a mixture of substances, measures, or problems (a cocktail of).B2 Cocoanoun · A brown powder from cacao beans, used to make chocolate drinks.A1 Coconutnoun · A large brown fruit with a hard shell, white flesh, and milk inside.A1 Codenoun · A secret system of letters or signs, or a set of rules such as a dress code.B1 Codingnoun · Writing computer programs; also putting data into codes (often uncountable).B1 Coerceverb · To force someone to do something by threats or pressure.C1 Coercionnoun · The use of force or threats to make someone do something.C1 Coexistverb · To live or exist together at the same time, especially despite differences.B2 Coffeenoun · A hot brown drink made from coffee beans.A1 Coffee Machinenoun · A machine that makes coffee from beans or pods.B1 Cogentadjective · Clear, logical, and convincing, especially of an argument (formal).C2 Cognitionnoun · The mental process of knowing, thinking, and understanding (usually uncountable).B2 Cognitiveadjective · Relating to thinking, knowing, and other mental processes.C1 Cognizantadjective · Aware of something (formal: cognizant of).C1 Coherentadjective · Clear, logical, and well organised.C1 Cohesionnoun · The quality of parts fitting together as a united whole.C1 Cohesiveadjective · United and working well as a whole.C1 Cohortnoun · A group of people who share an experience or time period, often in research.B2 Coilnoun · A length of wire or rope wound in loops; as a verb, to wind into loops.B2 Coinnoun · A small round piece of metal used as money.A2 Coincideverb · To happen at the same time, or to be the same.B2 Coincidencenoun · When two things happen at the same time by chance, not by plan.B2 Colandernoun · A bowl with holes for draining water from pasta, vegetables, or similar food.B1 Coldadjective · At a low temperature; not hot.A1 Collaborateverb · To work together with someone to produce something.B2 Collaborationnoun · The act of working together on a piece of work.B2 Collaborativeadjective · Done by people working together.B1 Collapseverb · To fall down suddenly, or to fail completely.B1 Collarnoun · The part of a shirt or coat that goes around the neck.A2 Collateverb · To collect and arrange information from different sources in a useful order.B2 Collateralnoun · Property pledged as security for a loan; as an adjective, additional and often unintended (collateral damage).B2 Colleaguenoun · A person you work with in the same organisation.B1 Collectverb · To bring things together, or to get items of the same type.A2 Collectionnoun · A group of objects of the same type that have been gathered together.B1 Collectiveadjective · Done or shared by a group as a whole, not by one person.B2 Collectivelyadverb · As a group; together.B1 Collectornoun · A person who gathers objects as a hobby or job, or who collects money or tickets (a ticket collector).B2 Collegenoun · A place where people study after school, often for a job or a degree.A2 Collideverb · To crash into something; also, of ideas or groups, to conflict.B1 Collisionnoun · An accident in which two vehicles or objects hit each other; also a serious clash of ideas.B2 Colloquynoun · A formal conversation or conference (literary / formal).C2 Collusionnoun · Secret agreement to deceive or cheat.C1 Colonelnoun · A senior army officer rank (spelt with a silent first l).B2 Colonialadjective · Relating to a colony or to a period of imperial rule.C1 Coloniseverb · To take control of another country and send settlers there; in biology, to occupy a habitat (British spelling).B2 Colonynoun · A country or area controlled by another country; also a group of animals living together.B2 Colossaladjective · Extremely large.B2 Colournoun · Red, blue, green, and others like them.A1 Colourfuladjective · Having many bright colours.A2 Columnnoun · A regular article in a newspaper; also a tall post that supports a building, or a vertical list.B2 Columnistnoun · A journalist who writes a regular opinion column in a newspaper.B1 Comanoun · A long deep state of unconsciousness caused by injury or illness.B2 Combnoun · A flat object with teeth, used for making hair tidy.A1 Combatverb · To take action in order to stop or reduce something harmful.C1 Combinationnoun · Two or more things mixed or used together.B1 Combineverb · To join two or more things together to make one thing.B1 Combustionnoun · The process of burning (usually uncountable in science).B2 Comeverb · To move towards the place where the speaker is.A1 Comediannoun · A person whose job is to make people laugh, especially on stage or television.B2 Comedynoun · A play, film, or type of entertainment that is funny.A2 Cometnoun · A body of ice and dust that orbits the sun and may show a tail.B2 Comfortnoun · A feeling of being relaxed, warm, and free from pain or worry.B1 Comfortableadjective · Feeling physically relaxed, or making you feel that way.A2 Comicnoun · A magazine of cartoon stories; as an adjective, funny.B1 Commanoun · The punctuation mark (,) that separates parts of a sentence or items in a list.B1 Commandnoun · An order, or the fact of being in control (be in command).B1 Commandernoun · An officer in charge of a military or police unit.B2 Commemorateverb · To remember and show respect for an important person or event.C1 Commenceverb · To begin; a more formal word for start.B2 Commendverb · To praise someone or something formally.C1 Commensurateadjective · Matching in size, quality, or degree (commensurate with).C1 Commentnoun · Something you say or write that gives an opinion.B1 Commentarynoun · A spoken description of an event as it happens, or a critical discussion of a subject.C1 Commentatornoun · A person who describes a sports event as it happens, or who gives public opinions on news.B2 Commercenoun · The buying and selling of goods and services, especially on a large scale.B2 Commercialadjective · Connected with buying and selling, or intended to make a profit.B2 Commissionnoun · A group given official power to investigate, or a fee for a sale; also a piece of paid work.B2 Commissionernoun · A senior official in charge of a government department, police force, or public body.B2 Commitverb · To promise to do something, or to do a crime.B1 Commitmentnoun · A promise to do something, or the hard work you put into it.B2 Committeenoun · A small group chosen to make decisions or organise something.B2 Commoditynoun · A raw product that is bought and sold, such as oil or wheat; also something useful.C1 Commonadjective · Happening often, or shared by many people.A2 Commonlyadverb · Often; by most people.B1 Commonplaceadjective · Ordinary and not surprising because it happens often.C1 Communaladjective · Shared by a group or community rather than owned privately.C1 Communicateverb · To share information, ideas, or feelings.B2 Communicationnoun · The act of sharing information, or a message itself.B2 Communitynoun · A group of people who live in the same place or share something.B1 Commuteverb · To travel regularly between home and work or college.B1 Commuternoun · A person who travels a long distance to work each day.B1 Compactadjective · Small but well organised; also an agreement (a compact between parties).B2 Companionnoun · A person or animal you spend time with; also a book that goes with another (a companion volume).B2 Companynoun · A business that sells goods or services.A2 Comparableadjective · Similar enough to be compared; of a similar level.B2 Comparativeadjective · Involving comparison between two or more things.C1 Compareverb · To look at two things to see how they are similar or different.A2 Comparisonnoun · The act of looking at two things to see how they are similar or different.B2 Compartmentnoun · A separate section of a space, especially of a train carriage.B1 Compassnoun · A small instrument with a needle that always points north, used to find your way.A1 Compassionnoun · Sympathy for someone’s suffering, together with a wish to help.C1 Compatibleadjective · Able to exist or work together without conflict (compatible with).B2 Compelverb · To force someone to do something (compel someone to).B2 Compellingadjective · Very convincing, or so strong that it is hard to ignore.C1 Compensateverb · To give money or something else for a loss or injury, or to make up for a weakness.B2 Compensationnoun · Money or something else given because of a loss, injury, or extra work.B2 Competeverb · To try to win or be more successful than others.B1 Competencenoun · The ability to do something well.B2 Competentadjective · Able to do something well enough.B2 Competitionnoun · An event in which people try to win by being better than others.B1 Competitiveadjective · Wanting to win, or as good as rivals on price or quality.B2 Competitornoun · A person or company that is trying to be more successful than others.B2 Compileverb · To collect information and put it together.C1 Complacentadjective · Too satisfied with yourself to see a risk or a need to improve (not simply happy).C1 Complainverb · To say you are not happy about something.B1 Complaintnoun · A statement that you are not satisfied with something.B1 Complaisantadjective · Willing to please others and go along with their wishes (not the same as complacent, which is smugly unworried).C2 Complementverb · To add to something in a way that improves it.C1 Complementaryadjective · Combining well with something else so that each supplies what the other lacks.B2 Completeverb · To finish something, or to make it whole.A2 Completelyadverb · In every way; totally.B1 Completionnoun · The act of finishing something; on completion means when it is finished.B1 Complexadjective · Made of many parts and hard to understand.B1 Complexionnoun · The natural colour and appearance of the skin on a person’s face; also the general character of a situation.B2 Complexitynoun · The state of having many parts and being difficult to understand.B2 Compliancenoun · The act of obeying a law, rule, or request (compliance with).B2 Complicateverb · To make something more difficult to understand or deal with.B2 Complicatedadjective · Difficult to understand or deal with because of many parts.B1 Complicationnoun · A new problem that makes a situation harder, especially after illness or surgery.B1 Complicitadjective · Involved in something wrong, even if you did not start it.C1 Complicitynoun · Involvement as a partner in wrongdoing, even without starting it.C2 Complimentnoun · A polite remark that shows praise (not complement).B1 Complimentaryadjective · Given free of charge, or expressing praise.B2 Complyverb · To obey a rule or request (comply with).B2 Componentnoun · One of the parts that make up a whole.B2 Composeverb · To write music or a text, or to make up the parts of something.B2 Composernoun · A person who writes music.B2 Compositionnoun · A piece of writing or music, or the way parts are arranged.B2 Composurenoun · Calm control of your feelings, especially in a difficult situation.C1 Compoundnoun · Something made of two or more parts, especially a chemical or a word.B2 Comprehendverb · To understand something fully (slightly formal).B2 Comprehensionnoun · The ability to understand; also an exam paper that tests reading.B1 Comprehensiveadjective · Including almost everything that is needed.B2 Compriseverb · To be made up of particular parts.B2 Compromisenoun · An agreement in which each side gives up something.B2 Compulsoryadjective · Required by a rule or law; you cannot choose to skip it.B2 Computeverb · To calculate an amount or result, especially with a machine or a formal method.B2 Computernoun · An electronic machine for writing, calculating, and using the internet.A1 Concealverb · To hide a fact, object, or feeling on purpose.B2 Concedeverb · To admit that something is true, often unwillingly.B2 Conceivableadjective · Possible to imagine or believe.B2 Conceiveverb · To form an idea of something, or to imagine it (conceive of).C1 Concentrateverb · To give all your attention to something.B1 Concentrationnoun · The ability to give all your attention to something, or the amount of a substance in a mixture.B2 Conceptnoun · An idea of how something is or how it works.B1 Conceptionnoun · An idea of what something is or should be; also the start of pregnancy (formal).B2 Conceptualadjective · Relating to ideas or concepts rather than to practical details.C1 Concernnoun · A feeling of worry, or something that matters to you.B1 Concertnoun · A public performance of music.A2 Concertedadjective · Done in a planned, combined way by people working together.C1 Concessionnoun · Something granted in a negotiation; also a reduced price.C1 Conciliateverb · To end a disagreement by making people less angry.C2 Conciseadjective · Short and clear, without unnecessary words.C1 Concludeverb · To decide something after thinking, or to finish.B1 Conclusionnoun · A final decision or opinion after thinking, or the end of a piece of writing.B1 Conclusiveadjective · Proving something beyond reasonable doubt.C1 Concomitantadjective · Happening at the same time as something else, and connected with it.C2 Concreteadjective · Clear and specific, not abstract; also the building material.B2 Concurrentadjective · Happening at the same time as something else.C1 Condemnverb · To say strongly that something is wrong.B2 Condenseverb · To make a gas become liquid, or to make a text shorter by keeping the main points.B2 Conditionnoun · The state something is in, or something that must be true first.B1 Condolencenoun · Sympathy expressed when someone has died (often condolences in the plural).B2 Condoneverb · To accept behaviour that is wrong, or to treat it as if it were acceptable.C1 Conduciveadjective · Making a situation likely or possible (conducive to).C1 Conductverb · To organise and carry out an activity, such as research or a meeting.B2 Conductornoun · A person who directs an orchestra, or a material that allows heat or electricity to pass; also a person who collects fares on a bus.B2 Conferverb · To discuss something in order to make a decision, or to give an honour.B2 Conferencenoun · A large formal meeting for people to discuss a topic, often at work.B1 Confessverb · To admit that you have done something wrong.B2 Confessionnoun · A statement that you have done something wrong, or (in some churches) the act of admitting sins.B2 Confidencenoun · The feeling that you can do something well or that something will happen.B1 Confidentadjective · Sure about your abilities or that something will happen.B1 Confidentialadjective · Meant to be kept secret.B2 Configurationnoun · The particular arrangement of the parts of something.C1 Confineverb · To keep someone or something within limits (confine to).C1 Confirmverb · To say that something is definitely true or will happen.B1 Confirmationnoun · A statement or document that something is true or booked; also a Christian ceremony.B2 Confiscateverb · To take something away officially as a punishment or because it is forbidden.B2 Conflagrationnoun · A large, destructive fire; also a sudden outbreak of fierce conflict.C2 Conflictnoun · A serious disagreement or fight.B2 Conformverb · To behave according to rules or expectations (conform to).C1 Confrontverb · To face a difficult person or problem directly.B2 Confrontationnoun · A situation in which people face each other angrily or in conflict.B2 Confuseverb · To make someone unable to think clearly, or to mix two things up.B1 Confusedadjective · Unable to think clearly or understand something.A2 Confusingadjective · Difficult to understand; making you mixed up.B1 Confusionnoun · A state of not understanding, or of being mixed up.B2 Congestionnoun · A situation in which roads are too full of vehicles to move easily.B1 Conglomeratenoun · A large company formed from several different businesses.C1 Congratulateverb · To tell someone you are pleased about their success or good luck (congratulate on).B2 Congregationnoun · A group of people gathered for worship, or that community.B2 Congressnoun · A large formal meeting, or (in some countries) the elected law-making body.B2 Conjecturenoun · An opinion formed without complete evidence; a guess.C1 Conkernoun · The hard brown nut of a horse chestnut tree, used in a children’s game (UK).B1 Connectverb · To join two things, or to see a link between ideas.B1 Connectionnoun · A link between people, ideas, or systems.B1 Connotationnoun · An idea or feeling a word suggests beyond its literal meaning.B2 Conquerverb · To take control of a place or people by force, or to overcome a difficulty.B2 Conquestnoun · The act of conquering, or land taken by force.B2 Consciencenoun · The inner sense of right and wrong.B2 Conscientiousadjective · Careful to do your work well and thoroughly.C1 Consciousadjective · Aware of something, or awake; not the same as conscience.B2 Consecutiveadjective · Following one after another without a break.B2 Consensusnoun · General agreement among a group of people.C1 Consentnoun · Official or formal permission to do something.B1 Consequencenoun · A result of an action, often one that is not good.B1 Consequentadjective · Happening as a result of something (formal).B2 Consequentlyadverb · As a result; therefore (formal linking word).B2 Conservationnoun · The protection of nature, buildings, or resources.B2 Conservativeadjective · Not liking change; traditional, or careful with money or estimates.B2 Conserveverb · To protect something and prevent it being wasted or destroyed.B2 Considerverb · To think about something carefully before deciding.A2 Considerableadjective · Large in size, amount, or importance.B2 Considerablyadverb · To a large degree; much.B2 Considerationnoun · Careful thought; also a fact you think about when deciding; also formal payment.B2 Consistverb · To be made of particular parts (consist of).B2 Consistencynoun · The quality of staying the same in standard or behaviour (uncountable).B2 Consistentadjective · Always behaving or happening in the same way.B2 Consistentlyadverb · In a way that stays the same over time; also without exception.B2 Consoleverb · To comfort someone who is unhappy; as a noun (/ˈkɒnsəʊl/), a panel of controls or a games machine.B2 Consolidateverb · To make something stronger or more solid, often by combining parts.C1 Consonancenoun · Agreement or harmony, especially of views or of sound.C2 Consonantnoun · A letter that is not a vowel, or the sound it stands for.B1 Conspicuousadjective · Easy to notice; attracting attention, sometimes in an unwanted way.C1 Conspiracynoun · A secret plan by a group to do something illegal or harmful.B2 Constantadjective · Happening all the time, or never changing.B1 Constantlyadverb · All the time, or very often.B2 Consternationnoun · A feeling of shocked anxiety or dismay.C2 Constituencynoun · The area and the voters that a politician represents.C1 Constituteverb · To be the parts that form something.C1 Constitutionnoun · The basic laws of a country; also a person’s physical health and strength.B2 Constitutionaladjective · Relating to a constitution, or allowed by it; also (old-fashioned noun) a walk for health.B2 Constrainverb · To limit what someone can do.B2 Constraintnoun · A limit that reduces what you can do.C1 Constructverb · To build something, or to form an idea or sentence.B2 Constructionnoun · The work of building something, or the way something is built.B1 Constructiveadjective · Helpful and intended to improve something (constructive criticism / talks).B1 Construeverb · To understand or interpret words or actions in a particular way.C1 Consultverb · To ask for information or advice from a person or a book.B2 Consultantnoun · A person paid to give expert advice.B2 Consultationnoun · A meeting to get or give advice, or a process of asking people before a decision.B2 Consumeverb · To use fuel, time, or food; to eat or drink.B2 Consumernoun · A person who buys goods or services.B1 Consummateadjective · Complete and of the highest skill or degree (formal).C2 Consumptionnoun · The act of using fuel, food, or goods.B2 Contactverb · To communicate with someone by phone, email, or message.B1 Contagiousadjective · Spreading from person to person (disease); also spreading in mood (contagious laughter).B2 Containverb · To have something inside, or to include something.B1 Containernoun · A large metal box for transporting goods; also any box that holds things.B1 Contaminateverb · To make something dirty or unsafe by adding a harmful substance.B2 Contemplateverb · To think about something carefully, often for a long time.B2 Contemporaryadjective · Belonging to the present time, or existing at the same time as something else.C1 Contemptnoun · A strong feeling that someone or something deserves no respect; also a legal offence (contempt of court).B2 Contendverb · To compete, or to argue that something is true (contend that).B2 Contentnoun · The ideas or information in a book, film, or course (the contents). The adjective content /kənˈtent/ means satisfied.B2 Contentionnoun · Disagreement, or a point that someone argues is true.C1 Contestnoun · A competition to find a winner.A2 Contextnoun · The situation or words around something that help you understand it.B1 Continentnoun · One of the large land masses of the earth, such as Asia or Africa.B2 Continentaladjective · Relating to a continent, especially mainland Europe from a British viewpoint; also a style of breakfast.B2 Contingencynoun · A possible future problem that you plan for in advance.C1 Contingentadjective · Depending on something else that may or may not happen (contingent on).C1 Continualadjective · Happening again and again (contrast continuous = without a break).B1 Continueverb · To keep doing something without stopping.A2 Continuitynoun · The fact of lasting or remaining the same over time, without a break.B2 Continuousadjective · Going on without a break.B2 Continuouslyadverb · Without a pause.B2 Contractnoun · A legal written agreement between people or organisations.B1 Contractornoun · A person or company hired to do a particular job under a contract.B2 Contradictverb · To say the opposite of what someone else has said, or to not match it.C1 Contradictionnoun · A difference between two facts or statements that cannot both be true.B2 Contraryadjective · Opposite in nature or meaning (on the contrary).B2 Contrastnoun · A clear difference between two people or things.B1 Contributeverb · To give something, such as money, help, or ideas.B1 Contributionnoun · Something that you give, such as money, help, or ideas, to a larger effort.B1 Contributornoun · A person who gives money, work, or a piece of writing; also a cause of a result.B2 Controlverb · To have power over something, or to make it do what you want.A2 Controversialadjective · Causing public disagreement.B2 Controversynoun · Public disagreement, often angry, about something.B2 Contumaciousadjective · Stubbornly rebellious and disobedient, especially towards authority (formal / legal).C2 Contumelynoun · Insolent or insulting language or treatment (literary / formal).C2 Conveneverb · To arrange a formal meeting, or to come together for one.B2 Conveniencenoun · The quality of being easy to use or nearby; also a convenience store.B1 Convenientadjective · Easy to use or well placed for your needs.B1 Conventionnoun · A usual way of doing something that people accept.C1 Conventionaladjective · Following the usual way of doing things; traditional rather than new.B1 Convergeverb · To come together from different directions, or to become more similar.B2 Conversationnoun · A talk between two or more people.A2 Converseverb · To talk with someone; as a noun or adjective (/ˈkɒnvɜːs/), the opposite.B2 Converselyadverb · Used to introduce a point that is the opposite of what has just been said.C1 Conversionnoun · The act of changing from one form, use, or belief to another.B2 Convertverb · To change something from one form or use to another.B2 Conveyverb · To communicate a feeling or idea, or to carry something.B2 Convictverb · To decide in a court that someone is guilty; as a noun /ˈkɒnvɪkt/, a person found guilty.B2 Convictionnoun · A strong belief, or a decision in a court that someone is guilty.B2 Convinceverb · To make someone believe that something is true.B1 Convivialadjective · Friendly, lively, and welcoming, especially of an atmosphere or gathering.C2 Cookverb · To make food ready to eat by heating it.A1 Cookernoun · A kitchen machine with rings or an oven for cooking food (British).A1 Cooker Hoodnoun · A fan and cover above a cooker that takes away steam and smells (UK; US range hood).B1 Cookienoun · A sweet US-style biscuit; also a small file a website stores on a computer.B1 Cookingnoun · The activity of preparing food by heating it (often uncountable).B1 Cooladjective · Fairly cold, but not very cold; also used to say something is good.A2 Cooperateverb · To work together with someone to achieve a shared goal.B1 Cooperationnoun · The act of working together towards a shared goal.B2 Cooperativeadjective · Willing to work with others; as a noun, a business owned by its members (UK also co-operative).B2 Coordinateverb · To organise people or parts so that they work well together.B2 Coordinationnoun · The organisation of people or parts so that they work together; also the control of muscles (usually uncountable).B2 Coordinatornoun · A person whose job is to organise the parts of a project so they work together (UK spelling).B2 Copnoun · A police officer (informal); cop out means to avoid a duty.B2 Copeverb · To deal successfully with a difficult situation.B1 Copiousadjective · In large amounts; more than enough (formal).C2 Coppernoun · A reddish-brown metal (symbol Cu), used in wires and coins; also (informal) a police officer.B2 Copyverb · To make something that is the same as something else.A2 Copyrightnoun · The legal right to control how a book, song, or image is copied and used.B1 Coralnoun · A hard substance built by tiny sea animals, forming reefs; also those animals.B2 Cordnoun · A thick string, or a flexible electrical wire; the spinal cord is the nerve bundle in the spine.B2 Corenoun · The central or most important part of something (the core of the problem).B1 Corknoun · A light, waterproof material from the bark of the cork oak; also a stopper made from it.B2 Corkscrewnoun · A tool with a spiral for pulling corks out of bottles.B1 Cornnoun · Maize; a tall plant with yellow grains that people eat as a vegetable or food.B1 Cornernoun · The place where two sides, walls, or streets meet.A1 Corner Shopnoun · A small local shop, often on a street corner, selling everyday goods (UK).B1 Cornflournoun · Fine white flour from maize, used to thicken sauces (UK, often uncountable; US cornstarch).B1 Corollarynoun · A natural result or consequence of something.C1 Coronationnoun · The ceremony of crowning a king or queen.B2 Corporateadjective · Relating to a large company.B1 Corporationnoun · A large company, or a group legally treated as one body.B2 Corpsnoun · A military unit, or a group organised for a special job (press corps; Peace Corps).B2 Corpsenoun · A dead body, especially of a person.B2 Corpulentadjective · Fat; having a bulky body (formal).C2 Correctadjective · Right; without mistakes.A2 Correctionnoun · A change that makes something right, or the act of correcting.A2 Correctlyadverb · Without mistakes; in the right way.B1 Correlateverb · To have a connection in which one thing changes with another.B2 Correlationnoun · A connection between two things in which one changes as the other does (not automatically a cause).B2 Correspondverb · To match or be similar (correspond to/with); also to write letters.B2 Correspondencenoun · Letters and emails exchanged; also a close similarity.B2 Correspondentnoun · A journalist who reports from a particular place or on a particular subject.B1 Corridornoun · A long narrow passage in a building with doors along it.A2 Corroborateverb · To give information that supports what someone else has said.C1 Corrodeverb · To destroy metal slowly by chemical action, or to damage something gradually.B2 Corruptadjective · Willing to act dishonestly in return for money or power; also, of files, damaged.B2 Corruptionnoun · Dishonest or illegal behaviour by people in power, especially involving bribes.B2 Cosmicadjective · Relating to the universe; also (informal) extremely large.B2 Cosmopolitanadjective · Containing people and ideas from many countries; worldly.C1 Costnoun · The amount of money you need to pay for something.B1 Costlyadjective · Costing a lot of money; also causing serious loss or damage.B1 Costumenoun · Clothes worn for a play, party, or special event.A2 Cotnoun · A small bed with high sides for a baby (UK; US crib).B1 Cottagenoun · A small house, especially in the country.A2 Cottonnoun · A cloth made from a plant, often used for summer clothes.A2 Cotton Budnoun · A short stick with cotton wool on the ends, used for cleaning (UK; US cotton swab).B1 Cotton Reelnoun · A small spool that holds sewing thread (UK).B1 Cotton Woolnoun · Soft, fluffy cotton used for cleaning skin or packing (UK, often uncountable; US cotton balls).B1 Couchnoun · A long, soft seat for two or more people; as a verb (formal), to express in a particular way.B2 Coughverb · To push air from your throat with a sudden noise, often when you are ill.A2 Couldverb · Used for past ability, or a polite request.A1 Councilnoun · A group of people elected to govern a town or local area.B1 Councillornoun · An elected member of a local council (UK spelling).B1 Counselnoun · Advice, especially legal advice; also a barrister in court.B1 Counsellingnoun · Professional talking support for people with problems (UK spelling).B1 Counsellornoun · A person trained to listen and help with personal problems (UK spelling; not a councillor).B2 Countverb · To say numbers in order, or to find how many there are.A2 Countenanceverb · To admit as acceptable; to tolerate or give approval (formal).C2 Counternoun · A long flat surface in a shop, café, or kitchen where you are served.A2 Counteractverb · To reduce or prevent the effect of something by causing an opposite effect.B2 Counterfeitadjective · Made to look real in order to deceive; as a noun, a fake of that kind; as a verb, to make one.B2 Counterpartnoun · A person or thing that has the same role in a different place or organisation.B2 Countlessadjective · Too many to count (slightly informal in academic prose).B2 Countrynoun · An area of land with its own government.A1 Countrysidenoun · Land outside towns, with fields, hills, and villages.A2 Countynoun · A region of a country used for local government, especially in Britain.B1 Coupnoun · A sudden illegal seizure of power, often by the military (a coup d’état); also a strikingly successful act.B2 Couplenoun · Two people who are in a relationship, or two things together.A2 Couponnoun · A printed or digital voucher that gives a discount or the right to something.B2 Couragenoun · The ability to do something difficult or dangerous even though you are afraid.B1 Courageousadjective · Brave; showing courage.B2 Courgettenoun · A long green vegetable of the marrow family (UK; US zucchini).B1 Coursenoun · A series of lessons on a subject.A2 Courseworknoun · Work that students complete during a course, not in a final exam.B1 Courtnoun · A place where legal cases are heard, or an area for sports such as tennis.A2 Courteousadjective · Polite and respectful.B1 Courtesynoun · Polite behaviour that shows respect; also a courtesy bus / car provided free.B1 Courtroomnoun · The room in which a law court meets.B1 Courtyardnoun · An open area surrounded by walls or buildings, often inside a larger building.B2 Cousinnoun · The child of your aunt or uncle.A1 Coververb · To put something over something else to hide or protect it.A2 Coveragenoun · The way an event is reported in the news; also how much an area or service includes.B1 Covertadjective · Secret; not openly acknowledged.C1 Cownoun · A large farm animal kept for milk.A1 Cowardnoun · A person who is too afraid to do something difficult or dangerous.B2 Crabnoun · A sea animal with a hard shell and two large claws, that walks sideways.A1 Cracknoun · A thin line where something is broken but has not come apart.B1 Crackdownnoun · Strong official action to stop a crime or unwanted behaviour.B2 Cradlenoun · A small bed for a baby that can be rocked; also the place where something begins (a cradle of); as a verb, to hold gently.B2 Craftnoun · A skilled trade of making things; also skill in doing something.B1 Cramverb · To study intensively just before an exam, or to force too many people or things into a space.B2 Cranenoun · A tall machine for lifting heavy objects; also a long-legged bird; as a verb, to stretch the neck to see.B2 Crashverb · To hit something hard, especially a vehicle, or to fail suddenly.A2 Craternoun · A round hole made by an explosion, a meteorite, or a volcano.B2 Craveverb · To want something very strongly, often a food or a feeling.B2 Cravenadjective · Contemptibly lacking in courage; cowardly (literary / formal).C2 Cravingnoun · A very strong desire for something.B2 Crawlverb · To move on hands and knees, or very slowly; the crawl is also a swimming stroke; a traffic crawl is very slow movement.B2 Crayonnoun · A coloured stick of wax that children use for drawing.A1 Crayonsnoun · Sticks of coloured wax for drawing, especially in primary school (usually plural).B1 Crazyadjective · Not sensible, or very strange; also informal for very enthusiastic.A2 Creamnoun · The thick, pale part of milk, often used in cooking or on puddings.A2 Createverb · To make something new.A2 Creationnoun · The act of making something new; also something that has been made.B2 Creativeadjective · Good at making new ideas, art, or solutions.A2 Creativitynoun · The ability to produce new ideas or things (uncountable).B2 Creatornoun · A person who makes something new, including online content.B1 Creaturenoun · A living being, especially an animal; also a person of a stated type (a creature of habit).B2 Credencenoun · Belief that something is true (give / lend credence to).C1 Credentialnoun · A qualification, document, or achievement that shows you can be trusted (often credentials).B2 Credibilitynoun · The quality of being trusted and believed.C1 Credibleadjective · Able to be believed or trusted.C1 Creditnoun · A way of buying now and paying later; also praise for good work.A2 Credit Cardnoun · A plastic card from a bank that lets you buy now and pay later.B1 Creditornoun · A person or firm that is owed money.B1 Credulousadjective · Too ready to believe what you are told.C2 Creepverb · To move slowly and quietly, often secretly; also to change gradually (prices creep up); as a noun, slow movement of soil (soil creep).B2 Crewnoun · The people who work on a ship, plane, or film.A2 Cricketnoun · A bat-and-ball game popular in Britain and many other countries.A2 Crimenoun · An illegal activity, or illegal activities in general.A2 Criminalnoun · A person who has committed a crime.A2 Crisisnoun · A time of serious difficulty or danger when action is needed (plural crises).B1 Crispnoun · A thin slice of fried potato eaten cold from a packet (UK; US chip); also firm and fresh.B1 Crispsnoun · Thin slices of fried potato in a bag (British). American English often says chips.A1 Criterianoun · The standards you use to judge something.C1 Criterionnoun · One standard used to judge something (plural: criteria).C1 Criticnoun · Someone who gives professional opinions of books, films, or food; also a person who finds fault.B1 Criticaladjective · Extremely important; also saying what is wrong; also involving careful judgement.B2 Criticallyadverb · In a way that judges carefully, or to a dangerous degree (critically ill); also in a way that is very important.B2 Criticiseverb · To say what you think is wrong or bad about something.B2 Criticismnoun · The act of pointing out faults, or a serious judgement of a book, film, or idea.B2 Critiquenoun · A careful, reasoned assessment of a work or idea, not only a complaint.C1 Crocodilenoun · A large reptile with a long body, short legs, and a wide mouth with many teeth.A1 Cropnoun · A plant grown for food or other use, or the harvest of that plant; as a verb, to cut short, or (of a problem) to appear (crop up).B2 Crossverb · To go from one side of something to the other.A1 Crossingnoun · A place where you can go across a road, railway, or river.A2 Crossroadsnoun · A place where roads meet; also a moment when a choice must be made.B1 Crosswordnoun · A word puzzle with numbered clues, filled into a grid of squares.B1 Crowdnoun · A large group of people in one place.A2 Crowdedadjective · Full of people, with little space.A2 Crownnoun · A monarch’s head-dress; the Crown means the state in UK law.B1 Crucialadjective · Extremely important because everything depends on it.B2 Crudeadjective · In a raw, unfinished state (crude oil); also rough, simple, or vulgar.B2 Crueladjective · Causing pain or unhappiness on purpose.A2 Crueltynoun · Behaviour that deliberately causes pain or distress (often uncountable).B1 Cruisenoun · A holiday on a ship that stops at several places; as a verb, to travel smoothly, or (of a vehicle) to move at a steady speed.B2 Crumpetnoun · A thick, round, holey bread cooked on a griddle and eaten toasted with butter (UK).B1 Crunchnoun · A difficult moment when a decision is needed (the crunch); also a loud crushing sound, or (verb) to crush noisily.B2 Crusadenoun · A determined campaign for a cause; historically, a medieval Christian military expedition.B2 Crushverb · To press something so hard that it breaks or is damaged; also to defeat completely, or a crowd pressed together (noun).B2 Crustnoun · The hard outer layer of bread, the Earth, or a similar surface.B2 Crutchnoun · A support you put under your arm to help you walk with an injured leg.B1 Cryverb · To produce tears because you are sad, hurt, or strongly moved.A2 Crystalnoun · A solid with a regular geometric shape from an ordered arrangement of atoms; also high-quality glass.B2 Crystalliseverb · To form crystals, or (of an idea) to become clear and definite (British spelling).B2 Cubenoun · A solid with six equal square faces; as a verb, to multiply a number by itself twice (n cubed).B2 Cubicadjective · Shaped like a cube, or measuring volume (cubic metres).B2 Cubiclenoun · A small enclosed space, often in an office, changing room, or exam hall.B2 Cucumbernoun · A long green vegetable with a watery inside, often eaten in salad.A1 Cuenoun · A signal to begin, in theatre or conversation; also a long stick in snooker or pool.B2 Cuffnoun · The end of a sleeve around the wrist; also a fold at the bottom of trousers.B1 Cuisinenoun · A style of cooking belonging to a country or region (often uncountable).B2 Cul-De-Sacnoun · A short street that is closed at one end.B1 Culinaryadjective · Connected with cooking or kitchens.B2 Culminateverb · To reach a high or final point (culminate in).C1 Culpritnoun · A person or thing responsible for a problem or a crime.B2 Cultnoun · A small religious group, often with intense devotion to a leader; also intense popular admiration (a cult film).B2 Cultivateverb · To grow crops or plants; also to develop a skill or a relationship carefully.B2 Culturaladjective · Connected with the arts, customs, or way of life of a group.B1 Culturenoun · The ideas, art, and way of life of a group of people.A2 Cumbersomeadjective · Large, heavy, or complicated and therefore difficult to use.C1 Cumulativeadjective · Increasing by successive additions (cumulative effect / total).C1 Cunningadjective · Clever at getting what you want, especially by tricking people; as a noun, that skill.B2 Cupnoun · A small round container with a handle, for tea or coffee.A1 Cupboardnoun · A piece of furniture with doors, used for storing things, often in a kitchen.A1 Cupcakenoun · A small cake for one person, often with icing on top.A1 Cupiditynoun · Greed for money or possessions (formal).C2 Curatornoun · A person who selects and looks after items in a museum, gallery, or collection.C1 Curbverb · To control or limit something, especially something unwanted; as a noun, that limit (US also the pavement edge).B2 Cureverb · To make an illness or problem go away.A2 Curiositynoun · A strong wish to know or learn (often uncountable).B1 Curiousadjective · Wanting to know or learn something.A2 Curlverb · To form into a curved or spiral shape; as a noun, a lock of hair in that shape, or that movement.B2 Curlyadjective · Having curls; not straight (especially hair).B1 Currencynoun · The money used in a country; also the state of being widely used or accepted.B2 Currentadjective · Happening or used now; as a noun, a flow of water, air, or electricity.B2 Currentlyadverb · At the present time.B1 Curriculumnoun · The subjects that a school or course officially teaches.B2 Currynoun · A dish of meat or vegetables in a spiced sauce, common in British canteens.B1 Cursornoun · The moving marker on a computer screen that shows where you are typing or clicking.B2 Cursoryadjective · Hasty and not thorough, of a look or a check.C2 Curtailverb · To reduce or limit something, often by an official decision.C1 Curtainnoun · Cloth that hangs over a window or a stage.A2 Curvenoun · A smoothly bending line; as a verb, to bend that way; also a graph line.B2 Cushionnoun · A bag filled with soft material that you sit or rest on.A2 Custardnoun · A sweet yellow sauce made with milk and eggs or powder, eaten with pudding (often uncountable).B1 Custodynoun · The legal right to look after a child; also being held by the police.B2 Customnoun · A usual way of behaving in a country or group.A2 Customaryadjective · Usual in a particular place, group, or situation.C1 Customernoun · A person who buys goods or a service.A2 Customsnoun · The officials and rules that control goods entering a country.B1 Cutverb · To divide something with a knife or scissors.A1 Cutbacknoun · A reduction in spending, staff, or services.B1 Cutlerynoun · Knives, forks, and spoons used for eating (UK, often uncountable; US silverware / flatware).B1 Cyberadjective · Relating to computers, the internet, and online networks (usually in compounds: cyber attack).B2 Cycleverb · To ride a bicycle.A2 Cycle Lanenoun · A part of the road marked for bicycles (UK).B1 Cyclicaladjective · Happening in repeated cycles rather than as a one-off change.C1 Cyclingnoun · The activity or sport of riding a bicycle.A2 Cyclistnoun · A person who rides a bicycle.B1 Cyclonenoun · A large rotating storm system, especially in the tropics (also used for some extra-tropical lows).B2 Cylindernoun · A solid or hollow shape with straight sides and circular ends; also a tube in an engine.B2 Cynicaladjective · Believing that people are selfish and that claims cannot be trusted.C1 Cynicismnoun · The belief that people are motivated only by self-interest; a cynical attitude (usually uncountable).B2