Vocabulary Flashcards - C Words

Harsh, discordant sounds (The cacophony of the city street made it hard for her to concentrate.)

Rhythmic flow of a sequence of sounds or words (The cadence of the poem was soothing to the listener.)

To persuade with flattery or gentle urging (He managed to cajole her into going to the party.)

An event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster (The earthquake was a calamity that destroyed the entire city.)

To adjust precisely for a particular function (The mechanic calibrated the engine to improve its performance.)

Emotionally hardened, unfeeling (The doctor’s callous disregard for the patient’s suffering shocked everyone.)

A false and slanderous statement (The politician's career was ruined by calumny.)

Mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together (The camaraderie among the team members was evident.)

The quality of being open and honest in expression (Her candor was refreshing in a world full of deceit.)

Having or showing shrewdness and good judgment (The canny investor made a fortune by buying low and selling high.)

1. A piece of cloth on which an artist paints (The artist stretched the canvas on the frame.)
2. To cover, inspect (The campaign volunteers canvassed the neighborhood for support.)

Having a lot of space inside; roomy (The capacious warehouse could hold hundreds of pallets.)

To surrender, give up (The army was forced to capitulate after being surrounded.)

Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior (Her capricious nature made it difficult to predict how she would react.)

To attract and hold the interest of (The magician’s performance captivated the audience.)

To drink and enjoy oneself with others in a noisy, lively way (They caroused until the early hours of the morning.)

To complain or find fault continually, typically about trivial matters (She was always carping about the smallest things.)

1. A complete list of items, typically in alphabetical or systematic order (The library's catalog was extensive.)
2. To make a systematic list (They cataloged all the items in the store.)

To cause or accelerate a reaction (The scientist catalyzed the reaction by adding heat.)

A meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement (The party held a caucus to select their candidate.)

Able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical action; sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way (Her caustic remarks hurt his feelings.)

To jump or dance around excitedly (The children cavorted in the park all afternoon.)

To express severe disapproval of (The senator was censured for his inappropriate remarks.)

Intellectual rather than emotional or physical (The film was praised for its cerebral approach to storytelling.)

Complete disorder and confusion (The office was in chaos after the announcement of layoffs.)

To reprimand severely (The teacher chastised the student for being late.)

To protect and care for lovingly (She cherished the memories of her childhood.)

To scold or rebuke (She chided him for not finishing his homework.)

The sequence of steps and movements in dance or figure skating, especially in a ballet or other staged dance (The choreography of the dance was intricate and beautiful.)

A factual written account of important or historical events in the order of their occurrence (The book was a chronicle of the war.)

Arranged in the order of time (The events were listed in chronological order.)

Longer than the most direct way (The route was circuitous, but it offered stunning views.)

The use of many words where fewer would do, especially in a deliberate attempt to be vague or evasive (His circumlocution confused the audience.)

Restricted or limited (The rights of the citizens were circumscribed by the new law.)

Wary and unwilling to take risks (She was circumspect in her decision-making process.)

To find a way around (an obstacle) (He found a way to circumvent the rules.)

Having or claiming to have the power of seeing objects or actions beyond the range of natural vision (The clairvoyant claimed to know where the missing child was.)

A loud and confused noise, especially that of people shouting vehemently (The clamor of the crowd could be heard from miles away.)

Kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit (Their clandestine meetings went unnoticed for months.)

1. To split or sever something (He cleaved the log in two with a single blow.)
2. To adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly (They cleaved to their beliefs despite the pressure to change.)

Mercy; lenience (The judge showed clemency and reduced the sentence.)

The body of all people ordained for religious duties, especially in the Christian Church (The clergy gathered for the annual conference.)

Disgust or sicken (someone) with an excess of sweetness, richness, or sentiment (The dessert was so sweet that it became cloying after a few bites.)

To change to a solid or semi-solid state (The blood began to coagulate around the wound.)

To come together to form one mass or whole (The different groups coalesced into a unified force.)

A person who mends shoes (The cobbler fixed my worn-out shoes.)

To persuade (an unwilling person) to do something by using force or threats (They coerced him into signing the contract.)

Clear, logical, and convincing (His argument was so cogent that everyone agreed with him.)

Having knowledge or being aware of (She was cognizant of the risks involved.)

Logical and consistent (The essay was well-organized and coherent.)

1. Something pledged as security for repayment of a loan, to be forfeited in the event of a default (He used his car as collateral for the loan.)
2. Additional but subordinate; secondary (The collateral damage was extensive.)

Used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary (The book was written in a colloquial style.)

Secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, especially in order to cheat or deceive others (The companies were accused of acting in collusion to fix prices.)

A statue that is much bigger than life size (The statue was a colossus that towered over the city.)

The process of burning something (The combustion of fuel produces heat and light.)

Praise (He received a commendation for his bravery.)

Corresponding in size or degree; in proportion (His salary was commensurate with his experience.)

Roomy and comfortable (The apartment was commodious and well-lit.)

Evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way (The book was so compelling that I couldn’t put it down.)

To give (someone) something, typically money, in recognition of loss, suffering, or injury incurred; recompense (He was compensated for the loss of his car in the accident.)

A feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements (His complacency led to a lack of preparation.)

A thing that completes or brings to perfection (The wine was a perfect complement to the meal.)

Inclined to agree with others or obey rules, especially to an excessive degree; acquiescent (The employees were compliant with the new regulations.)

Involved with others in an illegal activity or wrongdoing (The manager was complicit in the theft.)

A polite expression of praise or admiration (She blushed when he paid her a compliment.)

1. A thing that is composed of two or more separate elements; a mixture (Water is a compound of hydrogen and oxygen.)
2. To make (something bad) worse; intensify the negative aspects of (I compounded the problem by not speaking up.)

Complete and including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something (The report was comprehensive and covered every aspect of the project.)

To flatten by pressure; squeeze or press (He compressed the files to save space on the hard drive.)

A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad (He felt no compunction about lying to get what he wanted.)

To admit that something is true or valid after first denying or resisting it (He conceded that he was wrong after seeing the evidence.)

Intended or likely to placate or pacify (She took a conciliatory approach to avoid conflict.)

Giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words; brief but comprehensive (The instructions were concise and easy to follow.)

To make (a dish or meal) by combining various ingredients (She concocted a delicious stew from the leftover ingredients.)

Naturally accompanying or associated (The drug’s risks increase with the concomitant use of alcohol.)

Agreement or harmony between people or groups (The treaty brought concord between the two nations.)

An expression of sympathy, especially on the occasion of a death (We sent our condolences to the family after their loss.)

To accept and allow (behavior that is considered morally wrong or offensive) to continue (The teacher did not condone cheating in her classroom.)

A channel for conveying water or other fluid (The conduit carried water to the fields.)

A dish or delicacy made with sweet ingredients (The bakery’s confections were known for their exquisite taste.)

A person with whom one shares a secret or private matter, trusting them not to repeat it to others (She trusted her best friend as her closest confidant.)

An extensive fire that destroys a great deal of land or property (The forest was destroyed by a massive conflagration.)

The junction of two rivers, especially rivers of approximately equal width (The confluence of the two rivers was a popular fishing spot.)

A person who conforms to accepted behavior or established practices (He was a conformist who never challenged the status quo.)

To cause surprise or confusion in (someone), especially by acting against their expectations (The unexpected results confounded the scientists.)

To solidify or coagulate, especially by cooling (The gravy began to congeal in the dish.)

Pleasant because of a personality, qualities, or interests that are similar to one's own (She found the new neighborhood quite congenial.)

A group of people assembled for religious worship (The congregation gathered for Sunday service.)

The quality of being in agreement or harmony (There was a perfect congruity between the goals of the company and the needs of the employees.)

To secretly allow (something considered immoral, illegal, wrong, or harmful) to occur (The officials were accused of conniving with the criminals.)

To make or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose (The church was consecrated in a solemn ceremony.)

General agreement (The group reached a consensus on the plan of action.)

To deliver (something) to a person's custody, typically in order for it to be sold (The goods were consigned to the store for sale.)

Comfort received by a person after a loss or disappointment (Her friends offered her words of consolation after her loss.)

In agreement or harmony with (His actions were consonant with his beliefs.)

A member of a constituency (The senator's constituents demanded answers.)

To severely restrict the scope, extent, or activity of (The project was constrained by budget limitations.)

To interpret (a word or action) in a particular way (His comments were construed as criticism.)

1. To make (a marriage or relationship) complete by having sexual intercourse (They consummated their marriage after the ceremony.)
2. Showing a high degree of skill and flair; complete or perfect (He is a consummate professional.)

The using up of a resource (The consumption of fuel is a major concern for environmentalists.)

Existing or occurring in the same period of time (The two events were contemporaneous.)

Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial (The issue was highly contentious among the committee members.)

To violate the prohibition or order of (a law, treaty, or code of conduct) (His actions contravened the regulations.)

Feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt (She was contrite after realizing the harm she had caused.)

A region of injured tissue or skin in which blood capillaries have been ruptured; a bruise (He suffered a contusion on his leg during the game.)

A confusing and difficult problem or question (The math problem was a conundrum that no one could solve.)

To come or bring together for a meeting or activity; assemble (The board convened for their annual meeting.)

1. A large meeting or conference, especially of members of a political party or a particular profession (The convention attracted delegates from across the country.)
2. A way in which something is usually done, especially within a particular area or activity (They followed the conventions of the genre.)

Friendly, lively, and enjoyable (The atmosphere at the party was convivial.)

(Especially of an argument, story, or sentence) extremely complex and difficult to follow (The plot of the novel was so convoluted that I couldn't follow it.)

Abundant in supply or quantity (She took copious notes during the lecture.)

Warm and friendly (The host extended a cordial welcome to the guests.)

The ceremony of crowning a sovereign or a sovereign's consort (The king's coronation was a grand event.)

The state of being fat; obesity (His corpulence was a result of his unhealthy diet.)

To confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding) (The witness corroborated the defendant's alibi.)

Tending to cause corrosion (The corrosive effects of the acid damaged the metal.)

Familiar with and at ease in many different countries and cultures (She was a cosmopolitan traveler, comfortable in any city.)

To act against (something) in order to reduce its force or neutralize it (They took measures to counteract the effects of the storm.)

A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government (The military coup resulted in the overthrow of the government.)

To yearn to possess or have (something) (She coveted her neighbor's new car.)

Not openly acknowledged or displayed (They conducted covert operations to gather intelligence.)

A tendency to be too ready to believe that something is real or true (His credulity made him an easy target for scams.)

A gradual increase in loudness in a piece of music (The song reached a crescendo as the orchestra joined in.)

A principle or standard by which something may be judged or decided (The criteria for admission are very strict.)

The highest or climactic point of something, especially as attained after a long time (The project was the culmination of years of hard work.)

Deserving blame (He was found culpable for the accident.)

To prepare and use (land) for crops or gardening (They cultivated the land to grow vegetables.)

Increasing or increased in quantity, degree, or force by successive additions (The cumulative effect of the delays was a loss of confidence in the company.)

Having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion (The cunning fox outsmarted the hunters.)

Greed for money or possessions (His cupidity led him to cheat his own friends.)

Hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed (He gave the document a cursory glance before signing it.)

Rudely brief (His curt reply left no room for further discussion.)

To reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on (They decided to curtail the trip due to budget constraints.)