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11 Plus Vocabulary Words Starting With C

69 words with meanings, synonyms, antonyms & example sentences

These are the 69 vocabulary words starting with C from our free 565-word 11 plus vocabulary list, from calamity to custom including 8 advanced words of the kind that separates top verbal reasoning scores. Each entry shows the meaning, synonyms, antonyms and an example sentence — the exact skills tested in GL and CEM verbal reasoning, comprehension and cloze questions. You can also download the full list as a free PDF or practise these words with our free vocabulary games.

calamity

/kəˈlæmɪti/noun
Advanced

A serious disaster or misfortune causing great damage or distress

The earthquake was a terrible calamity for the region.

Synonyms: disaster, catastrophe, tragedy, misfortune

Antonyms: blessing, fortune, success

candidate

/ˈkændɪdət/noun
Easy

A person who is applying for a job or competing for a position

Three candidates were interviewed for the teaching position.

Synonyms: applicant, contender, nominee, hopeful

careering

/kəˈrɪərɪŋ/verb
Intermediate

Moving swiftly and in an uncontrolled way

The shopping trolley went careering down the hill.

Synonyms: rushing, hurtling, speeding, racing

Antonyms: crawling, creeping, plodding

category

/ˈkætɪɡəri/noun
Easy

A group of things sharing similar characteristics; a class or division

This animal belongs to the category of mammals.

Synonyms: class, group, type, division

caulking

/ˈkɔːkɪŋ/noun
Advanced

A waterproof substance used to fill gaps and seal joints

The builder applied caulking around the window frame.

Synonyms: sealant, filler, putty

caution

/ˈkɔːʃn/noun
Easy

Care taken to avoid danger or mistakes; a warning

She approached the stray dog with caution.

Synonyms: care, carefulness, warning, vigilance

Antonyms: recklessness, carelessness, rashness

cease

/siːs/verb
Easy

To come or bring to an end; to stop

The rain finally ceased in the afternoon.

Synonyms: stop, end, halt, finish

Antonyms: begin, start, continue

cemetery

/ˈsemɪtri/noun
Easy

A place where dead people are buried; a graveyard

They visited the cemetery to pay respects to their grandparents.

Synonyms: graveyard, burial ground, churchyard

chaos

/ˈkeɪɒs/noun
Easy

Complete disorder and confusion

The classroom was in chaos when the teacher left.

Synonyms: disorder, confusion, turmoil, mayhem

Antonyms: order, harmony, peace

charred

/tʃɑːd/adjective
Intermediate

Burnt and blackened by fire

The charred remains of the building stood in silence.

Synonyms: burnt, scorched, blackened, singed

Antonyms: unburnt, fresh

choreographer

/ˌkɒriˈɒɡrəfə/noun
Intermediate

A person who creates and arranges dance movements

The choreographer taught the dancers their routine.

Synonyms: dance director, dance designer

clemency

/ˈklemənsɪ/noun
Advanced

Mercy; leniency in punishing someone

The prisoner appealed for clemency from the judge.

Synonyms: mercy, leniency, compassion, forgiveness

Antonyms: harshness, severity, cruelty

coarse

/kɔːs/adjective
Intermediate

Rough in texture; lacking refinement or politeness

The coarse sand scratched her feet.

Synonyms: rough, scratchy, crude, unrefined

Antonyms: smooth, fine, refined

coax

/kəʊks/verb
Intermediate

To gently persuade someone to do something

She coaxed the frightened kitten out from under the bed.

Synonyms: persuade, cajole, wheedle, entice

Antonyms: force, compel, discourage

college

/ˈkɒlɪdʒ/noun
Easy

An educational institution for higher learning or specialised training

She plans to study medicine at college.

Synonyms: university, academy, institute, school

colour

/ˈkʌlə/noun
Easy

The property of things that is produced by light reflecting off them, such as red, blue, or green

Her favourite colour is purple.

Synonyms: hue, shade, tint, tone

combination

/ˌkɒmbɪˈneɪʃn/noun
Easy

A mixture or joining of different things together

The combination of chocolate and peanut butter is delicious.

Synonyms: mixture, blend, mix, union

Antonyms: separation, division

commence

/kəˈmens/verb
Intermediate

To begin or start something

The concert will commence at seven o'clock.

Synonyms: begin, start, initiate, launch

Antonyms: end, finish, conclude

commit

/kəˈmɪt/verb
Intermediate

To carry out an action; to pledge or dedicate oneself to something

She decided to commit herself to learning the piano.

Synonyms: dedicate, pledge, perform, carry out

Antonyms: neglect, abandon, ignore

committee

/kəˈmɪti/noun
Intermediate

A group of people appointed to make decisions or manage something

The school committee met to discuss the new uniform.

Synonyms: board, panel, council, group

communicate

/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/verb
Easy

To share or exchange information, news, or ideas with someone

Dolphins communicate using clicks and whistles.

Synonyms: convey, share, express, transmit

Antonyms: withhold, suppress, conceal

community

/kəˈmjuːnɪti/noun
Easy

A group of people living in the same area or sharing common interests

The community came together to clean up the park.

Synonyms: neighbourhood, society, group, population

companion

/kəmˈpænjən/noun
Easy

A person or animal who accompanies or spends time with another

Her dog has been a faithful companion for years.

Synonyms: friend, partner, comrade, associate

Antonyms: stranger, enemy

company

/ˈkʌmpəni/noun
Easy

A business organisation; the presence of another person or people

Her father works for a large technology company.

Synonyms: business, firm, corporation, companionship

Antonyms: solitude, loneliness

compel

/kəmˈpel/verb
Intermediate

To force or strongly urge someone to do something

The evidence compelled the jury to reach a verdict.

Synonyms: force, oblige, pressure, coerce

Antonyms: discourage, deter, prevent

competition

/ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃn/noun
Easy

A contest in which people or teams try to win against each other

She entered the spelling competition and won first place.

Synonyms: contest, tournament, championship, rivalry

Antonyms: cooperation, collaboration

completely

/kəmˈpliːtli/adverb
Easy

Totally; in every way or as much as possible

I completely forgot about the meeting.

Synonyms: totally, entirely, fully, wholly

Antonyms: partially, partly, incompletely

complex

/ˈkɒmpleks/adjective
Intermediate

Made up of many different parts; difficult to understand

The human brain is incredibly complex.

Synonyms: complicated, intricate, elaborate, involved

Antonyms: simple, straightforward, easy

composition

/ˌkɒmpəˈzɪʃn/noun
Intermediate

The way something is put together; a piece of writing or music

The composition of the soil affects plant growth.

Synonyms: structure, arrangement, essay, piece

comprehend

/ˌkɒmprɪˈhend/verb
Intermediate

To understand something fully

It took me a while to comprehend the instructions.

Synonyms: understand, grasp, perceive, fathom

Antonyms: misunderstand, confuse, miss

comrade

/ˈkɒmreɪd/noun
Intermediate

A companion who shares activities or experiences; a fellow member

The soldiers were loyal comrades throughout the war.

Synonyms: companion, colleague, friend, ally

Antonyms: enemy, opponent, rival

conceal

/kənˈsiːl/verb
Easy

To hide or keep something secret

She tried to conceal her disappointment with a smile.

Synonyms: hide, cover, disguise, mask

Antonyms: reveal, expose, show

conceited

/kənˈsiːtɪd/adjective
Intermediate

Excessively proud of oneself; vain

The conceited actor thought he was better than everyone.

Synonyms: vain, arrogant, egotistical, proud

Antonyms: humble, modest, unassuming

concentrated

/ˈkɒnsntreɪtɪd/adjective
Intermediate

Focused intensely; made stronger by removing water or other substances

She made a concentrated effort to improve her grades.

Synonyms: focused, intense, strong, undiluted

Antonyms: diluted, weak, scattered

conclude

/kənˈkluːd/verb
Intermediate

To bring to an end; to reach a decision or judgement

The meeting will conclude at five o'clock.

Synonyms: finish, end, decide, determine

Antonyms: begin, start, commence

conclusion

/kənˈkluːʒn/noun
Easy

The end of something; a judgement or decision reached by reasoning

The conclusion of the book was very surprising.

Synonyms: ending, finish, result, judgement

Antonyms: beginning, start, introduction

condemn

/kənˈdem/verb
Intermediate

To express strong disapproval of; to sentence to punishment

The world leaders condemned the act of violence.

Synonyms: criticise, denounce, censure, sentence

Antonyms: praise, approve, commend

conferred

/kənˈfɜːd/verb
Advanced

Discussed something to reach a decision; granted an honour or title

The judges conferred before announcing the winner.

Synonyms: discussed, consulted, granted, bestowed

Antonyms: withheld, denied, refused

confine

/kənˈfaɪn/verb
Intermediate

To keep within limits; to restrict or imprison

The illness confined her to bed for a week.

Synonyms: restrict, limit, imprison, enclose

Antonyms: free, release, liberate

conscience

/ˈkɒnʃəns/noun
Intermediate

An inner sense of what is right and wrong that guides behaviour

Her conscience told her to return the lost wallet.

Synonyms: morals, principles, ethics, inner voice

conscious

/ˈkɒnʃəs/adjective
Intermediate

Aware of and responding to one's surroundings; deliberate and intentional

The patient remained conscious throughout the procedure.

Synonyms: aware, awake, alert, deliberate

Antonyms: unconscious, unaware, oblivious

conserve

/kənˈsɜːv/verb
Intermediate

To protect something from harm or destruction; to use carefully to prevent waste

We must conserve water during the drought.

Synonyms: preserve, protect, save, maintain

Antonyms: waste, destroy, squander

consideration

/kənˌsɪdəˈreɪʃn/noun
Intermediate

Careful thought about something; thoughtfulness for others

After much consideration, she chose the blue dress.

Synonyms: thought, deliberation, regard, thoughtfulness

Antonyms: disregard, neglect, thoughtlessness

consist

/kənˈsɪst/verb
Intermediate

To be made up or composed of certain parts or elements

The team consists of twelve players.

Synonyms: comprise, contain, include, be composed of

Antonyms: exclude, lack

conspire

/kənˈspaɪə/verb
Intermediate

To make secret plans together, usually to do something harmful

The villains conspired to rob the bank.

Synonyms: plot, scheme, plan, collude

constant

/ˈkɒnstənt/adjective
Easy

Happening continuously; remaining the same and not changing

The constant noise from the building site was annoying.

Synonyms: continuous, unchanging, steady, persistent

Antonyms: changing, variable, intermittent

consume

/kənˈsjuːm/verb
Easy

To eat, drink, or use up something

Teenagers consume large amounts of food during growth spurts.

Synonyms: eat, devour, use, expend

Antonyms: conserve, save, preserve

contemporary

/kənˈtempərəri/adjective
Advanced

Living or occurring at the same time; belonging to the present day

The gallery displays contemporary art.

Synonyms: modern, current, present-day, recent

Antonyms: ancient, old-fashioned, historical

contempt

/kənˈtempt/noun
Intermediate

A feeling that someone or something is worthless; scorn

She looked at the mess with contempt.

Synonyms: scorn, disdain, disrespect, derision

Antonyms: respect, admiration, regard

content

/kənˈtent/adjective
Easy

Satisfied and happy with what one has; at peace

The cat looked content sleeping in the sunshine.

Synonyms: satisfied, pleased, happy, fulfilled

Antonyms: dissatisfied, unhappy, discontented

contest

/ˈkɒntest/noun
Easy

A competition in which people try to win; a struggle for victory

She won the talent contest with her amazing dance.

Synonyms: competition, tournament, match, championship

Antonyms: cooperation

contract

/ˈkɒntrækt/noun
Intermediate

A formal written agreement between two or more parties

The footballer signed a five-year contract.

Synonyms: agreement, deal, pact, arrangement

contrast

/ˈkɒntrɑːst/noun
Intermediate

A striking difference between two things when compared

The contrast between the two paintings was remarkable.

Synonyms: difference, distinction, opposition, dissimilarity

Antonyms: similarity, likeness, resemblance

contribute

/kənˈtrɪbjuːt/verb
Intermediate

To give something to help achieve a goal or be part of something

Everyone contributed money to the charity collection.

Synonyms: give, donate, provide, supply

Antonyms: withhold, take, receive

conventional

/kənˈvenʃənl/adjective
Intermediate

Following traditional or accepted customs and practices

They had a conventional wedding ceremony.

Synonyms: traditional, standard, normal, typical

Antonyms: unconventional, unusual, innovative

convert

/kənˈvɜːt/verb
Intermediate

To change something into a different form or purpose

They converted the garage into a home office.

Synonyms: change, transform, turn, alter

Antonyms: maintain, preserve, keep

convey

/kənˈveɪ/verb
Intermediate

To transport or communicate something from one place to another

Words cannot convey how grateful I am.

Synonyms: communicate, express, transport, carry

Antonyms: conceal, withhold, suppress

convict

/kənˈvɪkt/verb
Intermediate

To declare someone guilty of a crime in a court of law

The jury took three days to convict the defendant.

Synonyms: condemn, sentence, find guilty

Antonyms: acquit, clear, exonerate

convince

/kənˈvɪns/verb
Easy

To persuade someone that something is true or to do something

She convinced her parents to let her go to the party.

Synonyms: persuade, influence, assure, satisfy

Antonyms: discourage, dissuade, deter

correct

/kəˈrekt/adjective
Easy

Free from error; true and accurate

All her answers were correct.

Synonyms: right, accurate, true, exact

Antonyms: incorrect, wrong, inaccurate

covert

/ˈkʌvət/adjective
Advanced

Not openly shown or acknowledged; secret

The spy carried out a covert operation.

Synonyms: secret, hidden, concealed, undercover

Antonyms: overt, open, public

covet

/ˈkʌvɪt/verb
Advanced

To want something greatly, especially something that belongs to someone else

She coveted her neighbour's beautiful garden.

Synonyms: desire, want, crave, yearn for

Antonyms: reject, spurn, dislike

coy

/kɔɪ/adjective
Advanced

Pretending to be shy or modest; reluctant to give information

She gave a coy smile when asked about her secret.

Synonyms: shy, modest, bashful, reserved

Antonyms: bold, forward, open

credit

/ˈkredɪt/noun
Easy

Recognition for an achievement; the ability to buy now and pay later

She deserves credit for her hard work.

Synonyms: recognition, acknowledgement, praise, trust

Antonyms: blame, criticism, debt

cultivate

/ˈkʌltɪveɪt/verb
Intermediate

To prepare land for growing crops; to develop or improve something

The farmer cultivated the fields each spring.

Synonyms: grow, develop, nurture, foster

Antonyms: neglect, ignore, abandon

cunning

/ˈkʌnɪŋ/adjective
Easy

Having skill in achieving one's aims through deceit or cleverness

The cunning fox outsmarted the hunters.

Synonyms: clever, crafty, sly, shrewd

Antonyms: naive, innocent, honest

curb

/kɜːb/verb
Intermediate

To control or limit something; to keep in check

He tried to curb his temper.

Synonyms: control, limit, restrain, restrict

Antonyms: encourage, release, free

custom

/ˈkʌstəm/noun
Easy

A traditional practice or usual way of behaving

It is a custom to shake hands when meeting someone.

Synonyms: tradition, practice, habit, ritual

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