ISEE/SSAT Vocabulary BuilderWordsC
ISEE & SSAT vocabulary words starting with C
143 words from the 1,500-word ISEE and SSAT deck, each with its meaning. Open a word for example sentences, synonyms and antonyms.
- cacophony noun — a harsh, jarring mixture of sounds
- cajole verb — to persuade someone gently through flattery or coaxing
- calamity noun — a disastrous event causing great damage or suffering
- callous adjective — showing no feeling for others' suffering
- callow adjective — immature and lacking experience
- calumny noun — a false statement meant to damage someone's reputation
- camouflage noun — a disguise that blends with the surroundings
- candid adjective — truthful and straightforward; frank
- candor noun — the quality of being open and honest
- canopy noun — the leafy upper layer formed by forest trees
- cantankerous adjective — bad-tempered and inclined to argue
- capacious adjective — having plenty of room inside
- capitulate verb — to stop resisting and surrender
- capricious adjective — given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood
- captivate verb — to attract and hold the interest of someone completely
- capture verb — to take hold of or seize, especially by force or skill
- carping adjective — constantly finding fault over minor matters
- castigate verb — to criticize or reprimand someone severely
- categorical adjective — absolute and unqualified, allowing no doubt or exception
- cater verb — to provide what is needed or wanted, especially food or services
- cautious adjective — careful to avoid danger, mistakes, or unnecessary risk
- cavalier adjective — showing careless or dismissive disregard for serious matters
- cavernous adjective — very large and open like a cave
- cavil verb — to raise petty or needless objections
- censorious adjective — severely critical of other people's faults
- censure verb — to express strong disapproval
- certify verb — to formally confirm that something meets a standard
- chafe verb — to feel irritated or impatient under a restriction
- chagrin noun — a feeling of distress or embarrassment caused by failure or disappointment
- chatter verb — to talk quickly and casually about ordinary things
- chauvinist noun — person who believes their own sex or group is inherently superior
- chicanery noun — clever but dishonest trickery, especially in argument, business, politics, or law
- chide verb — to mildly scold someone for a mistake
- choleric adjective — easily angered and often irritable
- chortle verb — to laugh with gleeful satisfaction
- chronic adjective — persisting for a long time or constantly recurring
- chronology noun — the arrangement of events in the order they occurred
- churlish adjective — rude and unfriendly in a mean-spirited way
- circuitous adjective — longer and less direct than necessary
- circumference noun — the distance around the outside edge of a circle
- circumlocution noun — the use of many words to express an idea that could be said more directly
- circumspect adjective — wary and unwilling to take risks
- clandestine adjective — kept secret or concealed, especially because it is illicit
- clarify verb — to make something easier to understand
- classification noun — a grouping based on shared qualities
- cleft adjective — split or divided into two parts
- cliché noun — an expression that has become overused and unoriginal
- clinch verb — to settle or secure something decisively
- clumsy adjective — moving or handling things in an awkward way
- clutch verb — to hold something tightly
- clutter noun — a messy collection of things
- cluttered adjective — filled with too many untidy things
- coalesce verb — to come together to form one whole
- coarse adjective — rough rather than smooth or soft
- coerce verb — to force someone to do something through pressure or threats
- cogent adjective — clear, logical, and convincing
- cogitate verb — to think deeply and carefully about something
- cohesive adjective — sticking together firmly to form a unified whole
- collaborate verb — to work together with others on a task
- colossal adjective — extremely large in size, extent, or degree
- coma noun — a deep, prolonged state of unconsciousness from which a person cannot be woken
- commend verb — to praise formally or express approval of
- commensurate adjective — corresponding suitably in size, degree, or importance
- commiserate verb — to express sympathy with someone who is suffering or disappointed
- commute verb — to travel regularly between home and work or school
- compare verb — to look at two or more things to see how they are alike or different
- compassionate adjective — showing deep sympathy and concern for others' suffering
- compel verb — to force or require someone to act
- compelling adjective — evoking interest or attention; convincing
- complacent adjective — self-satisfied and unaware of possible danger or need for improvement
- complain verb — to say that you are unhappy about something
- complaisant adjective — agreeably willing to please others, sometimes too readily
- compose verb — to create something, such as a piece of music or a written work
- comprehend verb — to understand fully
- comprise verb — to consist of or be made up of
- concentrate verb — to give something your full attention
- concept noun — a general idea that helps people understand something
- conciliatory adjective — intended to end a disagreement and restore harmony
- concise adjective — using few words while still being clear
- conclude verb — to decide something after considering the facts
- conclusion noun — a decision reached after careful thought
- concur verb — to agree or be in accord
- condescending adjective — acting as though one is superior to others
- condone verb — to accept or overlook behavior that is considered wrong
- conduct verb — to organize and carry out
- confide verb — to share a secret with someone trusted
- conform verb — to comply with rules or norms
- confound verb — to confuse or puzzle someone completely
- congenial adjective — pleasant and agreeable, suited to one's tastes
- conjecture noun — an opinion based on incomplete information; a guess
- consecutive adjective — following one after another without a break
- consent verb — to agree to or give permission for something
- consider verb — to think carefully about something
- considerable adjective — fairly great in amount or degree
- considerate adjective — careful about other people's needs and feelings
- consonant adjective — consistent or in agreement with something
- conspicuous adjective — easily seen or noticed; standing out
- constant adjective — continuing without stopping or changing
- consternation noun — sudden anxiety or dismay caused by something unexpected
- constrain verb — to limit or restrict someone or something
- construct verb — to build something by putting parts together
- consummate adjective — showing the highest degree of skill or excellence
- contempt noun — the feeling that someone is worthless or beneath consideration
- contentious adjective — inclined to argue or provoke disagreement
- contradict verb — to say something that is the opposite of what someone else said
- contravene verb — to violate a rule, law, or requirement
- contribute verb — to give or add to a shared effort
- contrite adjective — feeling or showing genuine remorse for wrongdoing
- controversial adjective — likely to cause disagreement or strong opinions
- conundrum noun — a confusing and difficult problem
- convalesce verb — to regain health and strength after an illness or injury
- conviviality noun — warm friendliness and lively enjoyment in company
- convoluted adjective — extremely complex and difficult to follow
- cooperative adjective — willing to work well with other people
- copious adjective — abundant; in large quantities
- cordial adjective — warm and friendly
- corroborate verb — to confirm or support with evidence
- corrosive adjective — capable of gradually destroying a material through chemical action
- countless adjective — too many to be counted
- courage noun — the bravery to do something difficult or frightening
- courteous adjective — polite and respectful toward other people
- covert adjective — hidden or secret, especially to avoid detection
- cower verb — to crouch down or shrink back in fear or distress
- craggy adjective — rough and covered with steep rocks
- cramped adjective — too small or crowded for comfort
- cranky adjective — in a bad mood and easily annoyed
- craven adjective — lacking courage in a shameful way
- creak verb — to make a long, high squeaking noise
- credible adjective — believable or worthy of trust
- credulous adjective — too ready to believe things without enough evidence
- criticize verb — to point out faults or problems in something
- crooked adjective — bent or not straight
- crucial adjective — extremely important
- cryptic adjective — having a meaning that is mysterious or hard to interpret
- culminate verb — to reach a final or highest point
- culpable adjective — deserving blame for a wrongful act
- curious adjective — eager to learn or find out about something
- curmudgeonly adjective — habitually bad-tempered and inclined to complain
- current adjective — happening or existing right now
- cursory adjective — done quickly with little attention to detail
- custom noun — a usual way of doing something in a group or culture
- customary adjective — usual according to habit or tradition
- cynical adjective — distrustful of people's motives, believing they act only from self-interest