359 Verbs That Start with C | Huge List with Definitions and Examples

Is there any better way to master your English skills other than to build a robust vocabulary list of verbs that start with C? If you are writing an interesting short tale or a poem, penetrate these verbs that begin with C into your writing and they will conquer the writing world for you.

In English language the letter C stand tall at third position and is among the most used letters. It is associated with captivate, care and catch and much more amazing verbs such as cheer and clap. We are eager to carefully craft the best verbs excluding low quality collections of verbs, so here you will find the most amazing collection of verbs that start with C.

There are a number of action words starting with C to use for all sorts of situations and occasions so use these verbs for expressing some amazing actions in your life! Fill your vocabulary with clean, colorful and catchy verbs that start with C and your perspective and attitude will transform.

We hope so you will get much from this list of C-verbs whenever you want to express actions or a state of being.

Verbs That Start with C You Always Use

The verbs serve as building blocks in English writings and speech therefore their proper usage is crucial to speak and write English confidently. Let’s review over this list of some commonly used verbs that start with C:

1. Count

Definition: to say numbers one after the other in order, or to calculate the number of people or things in a group

Synonyms: add up, sum up, calculate
Example: The teachers counted the students as they got on to the bus.

2. Cancel

Definition: to decide that an organized event will not happen, or to stop an order for goods or services that you no longer want

Synonyms: call off, abandon, postpone
Example: They had to cancel tomorrow’s game because of the bad weather.

3. Carry

Definition: to hold something or someone with your hands, arms, or on your back and transport it, him, or her from one place to another
Synonyms: convey, transfer, move

Example: She carried her tired child upstairs to bed.

4. Catch

Definition: to take hold of something, especially something that is moving through the air
Synonyms: seize, grab, snatch
Example: I managed to catch the glass before it hit the ground.

5. Camp

Definition: to put up a tent and stay in it for a short while, for example while on holiday
Synonyms: encamp, bivouac, outspan
Example: We camped on one of the lower slopes of the mountain.

6. Charge

Definition: to ask an amount of money for something, especially a service or activity
Synonyms: bill, invoice, levy
Example: The bank charged commission to change my traveller’s cheques.

7. Cheat

Definition: to behave in a dishonest way in order to get what you want
Synonyms: elude, dodge, bypass
Example: Anyone caught cheating will be immediately disqualified from the exam.

8. Clean

Definition: to remove dirt from something
Synonyms: wash, cleanse, wipe

Example: I’m going to clean the windows this morning.

9. Chew

Definition: to crush food into smaller, softer pieces with the teeth so that it can be swallowed
Synonyms: munch, crunch, bite
Example: This meat is difficult to chew.

10. Cook

Definition: when you cook food, you prepare it to be eaten by heating it in a particular way, such as baking or boiling, and when food cooks, it is heated until it is ready to eat
Synonyms: prepare, make, get
Example: I don’t cook meat very often.

Verbs That Start with C You Usually Use

It would be much more useful for an English learner to learn the most frequent verbs appear most often in English. Let’s stroll down through a list of some most common verbs starting with C:

1. Calculate

Definition: to judge the number or amount of something by using the information that you already have, and adding, taking away, multiplying, or dividing numbers
Synonyms: compute, work out, evaluate
Example: The new tax system would be calculated on the value of property owned by an individual.

2. Connect

Definition: to join or be joined with something else
Synonyms: attach, join, fasten
Example: Most villages in the highlands are now connected by roads.

3. Cheer

Definition: to give a loud shout of approval or encouragement

Synonyms: encourage, motivate, inspire
Example: Everyone cheered as the winners received their medals.

4. Cut

Definition: to break the surface of something, or to divide or make something smaller, using a sharp tool, especially a knife
Synonyms: gash, pierce, penetrate
Example: This knife doesn’t cut very well.

5. Claim

Definition: to say that something is true or is a fact, although you cannot prove it and other people might not believe it
Synonyms: assert, declare, profess
Example: The company claims that it is not responsible for the pollution in the river.

6. Calm

Definition: to stop someone feeling upset, angry, or excited
Synonyms: soothe, pacify, placate
Example: He tried to calm the screaming baby by rocking it back and forth.

7. Close

Definition: to (cause something to) change from being open to not being open
Synonyms: shut, steek
Example: Could you close the door please?

8. Coach

Definition: to give special classes in sports or a school subject, especially privately, to one person or a small group

Synonyms: train, educate
Example: She coaches students in French, usually for exams.

9. Compare

Definition: to examine or look for the difference between two or more things
Synonyms: contrast, collate, differentiate
Example: If you compare house prices in the two areas, it’s quite amazing how different they are.

10. Choose

Definition: to decide what you want from two or more things or possibilities
Synonyms: select, pick, take
Example: She had to choose between the two men in her life.

Verbs That Start with C You Often Use

If you’re an English learner, don’t waste your time trying to memorize a huge collection of verbs with very little benefit. All you need is to learn the right English verbs to use in your daily life. Let’s walk through a list of some of these verbs beginning with C in the below list:

1. Comb

Definition: to tidy your hair using a comb
Synonyms: untangle, groom, arrange
Example: She combed her hair and put on some lipstick.

2. Clash

Definition: to fight or argue
Synonyms: fight, contend, confront
Example: The government and the opposition parties have clashed over the cuts in defence spending.

3. Consist

Definition: to be made of or formed from something
Synonyms: comprise, contain, include
Example: The team consists of four Europeans and two Americans.

4. Consider

Definition: to spend time thinking about a possibility or making a decision
Synonyms: think about, contemplate
Example: Don’t make any decisions before you’ve considered the situation.

5. Collect

Definition: to get and keep things of one type such as stamps or coins as a hobby
Synonyms: gather, accumulate, assemble

Example: So when did you start collecting antique glass?

6. Compete

Definition: to try to be more successful than someone or something else
Synonyms: take part, play, participate
Example: Both girls compete for their father’s attention.

7. Challenge

Definition: to invite someone to compete or take part, especially in a game or argument
Synonyms: question, dispute, confront
Example: Tina has challenged me to a game of poker.

8. Confuse

Definition: to mix up someone’s mind or ideas, or to make something difficult to understand
Synonyms: bemuse, perplex, puzzle
Example: You’re confusing him! Tell him slowly and one thing at a time.

9. Complain

Definition: to say that something is wrong or not satisfactory
Synonyms: protest, grumble, moan
Example: Lots of people have complained about the noise.

10. Construct

Definition: to build something or put together different parts to form something whole
Synonyms: build, erect, put up

Example: The walls are constructed of concrete.

Verbs That Start with C You Sometimes Use

There are plenty of verbs that you’ll need to learn and memorize to use them sometimes according to the situation. Let’s dive into the ocean of verbs and explore few sometimes used verbs starting with letter C:

1. Copy

Definition: to produce something so that it is the same as an original piece of work
Synonyms: duplicate, photocopy, photostat
Example: They’ve copied the basic design from the Japanese model and added a few of their own refinements.

2. Contain

Definition: to have something inside or include something as a part
Synonyms: hold, carry, accommodate
Example: I lost a file containing a lot of important documents.

3. Correct

Definition: to show or tell someone that something is wrong and to make it right
Synonyms: rectify, right, amend
Example: I have 30 homework assignments to correct.

4. Crawl

Definition: to move along on hands and knees or with your body stretched out along a surface
Synonyms: creep, drag, trail
Example: The injured soldier crawled to safety.

5. Cough

Definition: to force air out of your lungs through your throat with a short, loud sound

Synonyms: choke, bark
Example: I coughed all night long.

6. Caress

Definition: to touch or kiss someone in a gentle and loving way
Synonyms: stroke, fondle, kiss

Example: Gently he caressed her cheek.

7. Crack

Definition: to break something so that it does not separate, but very thin lines appear on its surface, or to become broken in this way
Synonyms: split, fracture, fissure
Example: A stone hit the window and cracked the glass.

8. Cater

Definition: to provide, and sometimes serve, food
Synonyms: feed, serve, provision
Example: Which firm will be catering at the wedding reception?

9. Cover

Definition: to put or spread something over something, or to lie on the surface of something
Synonyms: protect, shield, shelter
Example: The light was so bright that I had to cover my eyes.

10. Choke

Definition: if you choke, or if something chokes you, you stop breathing because something is blocking your throat

Synonyms: gag, retch, cough
Example: She choked to death on a fish bone.

Verbs That Start with C You Occasionally Use

A good vocabulary of rare verbs is valuable when writing or speaking English although the use of uncommon words risks your appearing like a show-off. Let’s roll up our sleeves and pluck some occasionally used verb words that start with C in the below list:

1. Curve

Definition: to form a curve, or move in the shape of a curve
Synonyms: bend, turn, loop
Example: The road curves round to the left.

2. Cure

Definition: to make someone with an illness healthy again
Synonyms: heal, restore
Example: At one time doctors couldn’t cure TB.

3. Crash

Definition: if a vehicle crashes or someone crashes it, it is involved in an accident, usually a serious one in which the vehicle is damaged and someone is hurt
Synonyms: hit, strike, ram
Example: The plane crashed into a mountainside.

4. Curl

Definition: to make something into the shape of a curl, or to grow or change into this shape
Synonyms: wind, twine, entwine
Example: Does your hair curl naturally, or is it permed?

5. Concentrate

Definition: to direct your attention or your efforts towards a particular activity, subject, or problem
Synonyms: focus, direct, centre
Example: I can’t concentrate on my work with all that noise.

6. Cry

Definition: to produce tears as the result of a strong emotion, such as unhappiness or pain
Synonyms: weep, sob
Example: I could hear someone crying in the next room.

7. Chat

Definition: to talk to someone in a friendly informal way
Synonyms: talk, gossip, chatter
Example: She spends hours on the phone chatting to her friends.

8. Chuckle

Definition: to laugh quietly
Synonyms: gigle, titter, chortle
Example: She was chuckling as she read the letter.

9. Cross

Definition: to go across from one side of something to the other
Synonyms: cut across, traverse
Example: It’s not a good place to cross the road.

10. Cultivate

Definition: to prepare land and grow crops on it, or to grow a particular crop
Synonyms: dig, turn, farm
Example: Most of the land there is too poor to cultivate.

Verbs That Start with C You Seldom Use

In your everyday conversation, use the rare verbs only when they accurately reflect what you’re trying to say and if you feel confident that the other person will understand it. We’ve gathered few of these action verbs starting with C in the following list:

1. Calibrate

Definition: to mark units of measurement on an instrument such so that it can measure accurately
Synonyms: guage, measure
Example: The depth gauge is calibrated in centimetres.

2. Chop

Definition: to cut something into pieces with an axe, knife, or other sharp instrument
Synonyms: cut up, mince, split
Example: He was chopping wood in the yard.

3. Command

Definition: to give someone an order
Synonyms: order, direct, instruct
Example: The officer commanded his men to shoot.

4. Claw

Definition: to use claws to tear something or someone
Synonyms: tear, lacerate, slash
Example: He was seriously injured when one of the lions clawed his back.

5. Chime

Definition: (of bells) to make a clear ringing sound
Synonyms: ring, peal, tall
Example: In the square the church bells chimed.

6. Cling

Definition: to stick onto or hold something or someone tightly, or to refuse to stop holding it, him, or her
Synonyms: clutch, grip, grasp
Example: We got so wet that our clothes clung to us.

7. Camouflage

Definition: to use leaves, branches, paints, or clothes to hide soldiers or military equipment so that they cannot be seen against the area around them
Synonyms: disguise, hide, conceal
Example: The troops had camouflaged themselves so effectively that the enemy didn’t notice them approaching.

8. Collide

Definition: (especially of moving objects) to hit something violently
Synonyms: hit, strike, bump into
Example: The two vans collided at the crossroads.

9. Campaign

Definition: to organize a series of activities to try to achieve something
Synonyms: fight, battle, work
Example: They’ve been campaigning for years to get him out of prison.

10. Confess

Definition: to admit that you have done something wrong or something that you feel guilty or bad about
Synonyms: acknowledge, admit, reveal
Example: She confessed to her husband that she had sold her wedding ring.

Positive Verbs That Start with C

In the prevailing era of negativity, there’s no harm in being positive and taking a few moments out of each day to encourage the most important person in your life by using positive verbs that start with C. Let’s have a look into some of these positive verbs in the below list:

1. Confirm

Definition: to make an arrangement or meeting certain, often by phone or writing
Synonyms: authentic, substantiate, validate
Example: Six people have confirmed that they will be attending and ten haven’t replied yet.

2. Chirp

Definition: (of a small bird or an insect) make a short, sharp, high-pitched sound
Synonyms: tweet, twitter, chirrup
Example: Outside, the crickets chirped monotonously.

3. Complete

Definition: to make whole or perfect
Synonyms: finished, ended, finalized
Example: He only needs two more cards to complete the set.

4. Chum

Definition: form a friendship with someone
Synonyms: intimate, musketeer
Example: His sister chummed up with Sally.

5. Chant

Definition: to repeat or sing a word or phrase continuously
Synonyms: shout, sing, chorus
Example: Demonstrators chanted anti-government slogans in the square.

6. Civilize

Definition: to educate a society so that its culture becomes more developed
Synonyms: enlighten, edify, educate
Example: The Romans set out to civilize the Ancient Britons.

7. Chill

Definition: to (cause to) become cold but not freeze:
Synonyms: cool it, cool off
Example: Chill the wine before serving.

8. Coddle

Definition: treat (someone) in an indulgent or overprotective way
Synonyms: pamper, cosset
Example: I was coddled and cosseted.

9. Comfort

Definition: to make someone feel better when they are sad or worried
Synonyms: soothe, solace
Example: The girl’s mother was at home today, being comforted by relatives.

10. Conduce

Definition: to help make a particular situation happen or help produce a particular result
Synonyms: contribute, encourage
Example: Nothing would conduce more to the unity of the nation.

Verbs That Start with C to Describe a Person

Explore the alternatives for common words that describe a character’s action with descriptive C verbs. Let’s stroll down through a list of some verbs that start with C to describe a person and see how you can use them in your daily conversation:

1. Caution

Definition: to warn someone
Synonyms: forecasting, foretelling
Example: The newspaper cautioned its readers against buying shares without getting good advice first.

2. Consent

Definition: to agree to do something, or to allow someone to do something
Synonyms: allow, accept, approve
Example: Very reluctantly, I’ve consented to lend her my car.

3. Censure

Definition: to express strong criticism or disapproval
Synonyms: condemn, criticize, chastise
Example: Ministers were censured for their lack of decisiveness during the crisis.

4. Compliment

Definition: to praise or express admiration for someone
Synonyms: tribute, commendation
Example: I was just complimenting Robert on his wonderful food.

5. Certify

Definition: to say in a formal or official way, usually in writing, that something is true or correct
Synonyms: verify, guarantee, attest
Example: I hereby certify that the above information is true and accurate.

6. Conquer

Definition: to take control or possession of foreign land, or a group of people, by force
Synonyms: defeat, beat, vanquish
Example: The Spanish conquered the New World in the 16th century.

7. Characterize

Definition: describe the distinctive nature or features of
Synonyms: distinguish, mark, set apart
Example: She characterized the period as the decade of revolution.

8. Convince

Definition: to persuade someone or make someone certain
Synonyms: persuade, satisfy, assure
Example: He managed to convince the jury of his innocence.

9. Chase

Definition: to hurry after someone or something in order to catch him, her, or it
Synonyms: pursue, run after, follow
Example: The police car was going so fast, it must have been chasing someone.

10. Cooperate

Definition: to act or work together for a particular purpose, or to be helpful by doing what someone asks you to do
Synonyms: collaborate, pull together, combine
Example: A two-year old is likely to refuse to cooperate when you tell her to get dressed.

Verbs That Start with C – Full List (359 Words)

This list of verbs that start with C is an excellent starting point for improving your language level and becoming a more confident speaker of English. Let’s glance over it and find some useful words for everyday use:

Confess
Convene
Countersign
Confront
Clone
Concede
Consent
Channel
Convey
Crumb
Camouflage
Croak
Crush
Coach
Conjure
Ceil
Contest
Crosscheck
Contrive
Climb
Camp
Clasp
Clean
Cascade
Congest
Crochet
Cohabit
Consist
Chatter
Cuff
Collar
Cane
Curve
Calcify
Churn
Characterize
Calibrate
Cremate
Compute
Clot
Cheep
Castrate
Combine
Contribute
Cadge
Conquer
Collide
Calm
Collate
Clench
Commission
Caress
Condemn
Console
Cultivate
Cleave
Capsize
Carbonize
Corroborate
Chum
Coffer
Cloy
Counter
Canonize
Crumple
Corset
Cover
Cleanse
Chip
Cap
Copulate
Count
Change
Caution
Choke
Correct
Capture
Comment
Constrain
Cross
Court
Consecrate
Consume
Chide
Convalesce
Care
Coerce
Caper
Collect
Chalk
Countermark
Chuck
Compliment
Cruise
Conglomerate
Clutch
Curb
Coo
Chirr
Compel
Conjugate
Correlate
Contravene
Cool
Configure
Codify
Connote
Counterbalance
Cure
Club
Canvass
Chant
Copy
Crossbreed
Calligraph
Card
Consolidate
Civilize
Cave
Conduct
Consider
Cry
Cart
Confer
Crackle
Captivate
Creep
Couple
Challenge
Conceal
Contaminate
Coddle
Contact
Coil
Confiscate
Commit
Coin
Correspond
Continue
Cudgel
Cram
Crenelate
Cling
Chloroform
Convict
Cheer
Cower
Curtail
Chop
Clog
Constipate
Char
Cement
Confide
Coincide
Cork
Censor
Camber
Conspire
Case
Clapper
Catch
Cuddle
Claim
Crumble
Converge
Corrupt
Crash
Conclude
Comb
Confound
Chuckle
Chirp
Comply
Claw
Choose
Call
Coarsen
Conciliate
Complain
Crank
Connect
Complicate
Contend
Compound
Certify
Cogitate
Chaperone
Clamp
Covet
Centuplicate
Conjecture
Cluck
Constitute
Contemplate
Carburet
Come
Confuse
Combat
Contain
Cube
Cotton
Chill
Curse
Calve
Calculate
Compete
Cooperate
Cripple
Clink
Crop
Censure
Caw
Carry
Conceive
Cream
Capitalize
Creak
Code
Cage
Chew
Coexist
Cuckold
Cobble
Conglutinate
Convulse
Condense
Compose
Contract
Cease
Comfort
Click
Cannonade
Concern
Charm
Curl
Charge
Cough
Caulk
Cash
Commemorate
Chisel
Convert
Converse
Cancel
Confirm
Collude
Crunch
Charter
Color
Coordinate
Crack
Crow
Clear
Confine
Crease
Crinkle
Classify
Crimp
Compare
Clap
Corrode
Coat
Coast
Clarify
Curdle
Cloud
Control
Complete
Chance
Clothe
Cheat
Cost
Congeal
Congratulate
Chime
Christianize
Crown
Counteract
Check
Celebrate
Clown
Communicate
Commute
Construct
Computerize
Cauterize
Compensate
Compile
Coagulate
Coax
Concatenate
Crib
Command
Counterfeit
Close
Contradict
Collapse
Collaborate
Commence
Cringe
Cloister
Crawl
Convince
Centralize
Coop
Clash
Cause
Comprehend
Crossrule
Cheapen
Colonize
Condescend
Capitulate
Chase
Conform
Cast
Consult
Cherish
Circumscribe
Caparison
Careen
Condition
Criticize
Crisscross
Carve
Chap
Cup
Christen
Condole
Cater
Cackle
Chat
Crucify
Create
Colour
Cite
Copperplate
Compress
Crystallize
Contort
Cajole
Circulate
Cook
Concentrate
Conduce
Contrast
Credit
Campaign
Caricature
Cable
Conserve
Culminate
Clam
Centre
Cut
Categorize
Corner

Final Thoughts on Verbs That Start with C

Have you found this charming, chilling and classical collection of verbs that start with C helpful for you? In English learning, the more you escape into fantasy of verbs that begin with C, the more your vocabulary will grow.

Scan through the verbs that start with C to see if you can spice up your next writing piece with any of these verbs. In fact, mastering the vocabulary list of C-verbs and being able to use it properly in your writings and speech are foundational English language skills.

We hope so that with these verbs starting with C in you backpocket, you’ll never again feel unsure where to turn when you need a good list of C-verbs to describe an action or condition.