consist consists, consisting, consisted VERB
Something that consists of particular things is made up of them. The book consists of an introduction, ten chapters and an index.
consonant consonants NOUN
A consonant is any letter of the alphabet except a, e, i, o and u.
See vowel
constant ADJECTIVE
Something that is constant happens all the time. My friend Elizabeth complains of a constant headache.
construct constructs, constructing, constructed VERB
If you construct something, you build it or make it.
consume consumes, consuming, consumed VERB
If you consume something, you eat or drink it, or use it up.
contain contains, containing, contained VERB
The things that something contains are the things in it.
container containers NOUN
A container is something you put things in.
content ADJECTIVE
If you are content, you are happy and satisfied with your life.
contents PLURAL NOUN
The contents of something like a box or cake are the things in it. The contents page of a book tells you what is in it.
contest contests NOUN
A contest is a competition or game which you try to win.
continent continents NOUN
A continent is a very large area of land, such as Africa or Asia.
continue continues, continuing, continued VERB
If you continue to do something, you go on doing it.
continuous ADJECTIVE
Something that is continuous goes on without stopping.
contraction contractions NOUN
A contraction is a shortened form of a word or of words. For example, “I’m” is a contraction of “I am”.
contradict contradicts, contradicting, contradicted VERB
If you contradict someone, you say the opposite of what they have just said.
control controls, controlling, controlled
VERB 1 If you control something, you make it behave exactly as you want it to.
NOUN 2 The controls on a machine are knobs or other things used to work it.
convenient ADJECTIVE
If something is convenient, it is easy to use or do.
conversation conversations NOUN
If you have a conversation with someone, you talk to each other.
convince convinces, convincing, convinced VERB
If someone or something convinces you, they make you believe that something is true.
cook cooks, cooking, cooked VERB
When you cook food, you prepare it for eating by heating it.
cooker cookers NOUN
A cooker is a piece of equipment for cooking food.
cookie cookies NOUN
A cookie is another word for a biscuit.
cool cooler, coolest ADJECTIVE
If something is cool, its temperature is low but it is not cold.
coordinates NOUN
Coordinates are two numbers or letters which help you find the exact position of something. They are often used on maps, graphs and charts.
cope copes, coping, coped VERB
If you cope with a task or problem, you deal with it successfully.
copper NOUN
Copper is a reddish-brown metal.
copy copies, copying, copied
NOUN 1 A copy is something made to look exactly like something else.
VERB 2 If you copy something, you make a copy of it.
VERB 3 If you copy what someone does, you do the same thing.
coral corals NOUN
Coral is a hard substance that forms in the sea from the skeletons of tiny animals called corals.
cord cords NOUN
Cord is thick, strong string.
core cores NOUN
The core of a fruit is the hard part in the middle that contains seeds.
cork corks
NOUN 1 Cork is the light bark of the cork oak tree.
NOUN 2 A cork is a piece of cork used to block the open end of a bottle.
corn NOUN
Corn is a cereal crop, such as wheat or sweet corn.
corner corners NOUN
A corner is the place where two edges or roads join.
correct corrects, correcting, corrected
ADJECTIVE 1 Something that is correct is true and has no mistakes.
VERB 2 If you correct your work, you put right any mistakes you made.
corridor corridors NOUN
A corridor is a long passage in a building or train.
cost costs, costing, cost VERB
If something costs an amount of money, you can buy it for that amount.
costume costumes NOUN
A costume is the clothes worn by an actor, or that people wear for special events.
cosy cosier, cosiest ADJECTIVE
A house or room that is cosy is comfortable and warm, and not too big.
cot cots NOUN
A cot is a bed with high sides for a baby or a young child.
cottage cottages NOUN
A cottage is a small house, usually in the country.
cotton
NOUN 1 Cotton is cloth made from the soft fibres of the cotton plant.
NOUN 2 Cotton is also a thread used for sewing.
NOUN 3 Cotton wool is soft fluffy cotton, often used for cleaning the skin.
cough coughs NOUN
A cough is a noise made by someone forcing air out of their throat.
could
VERB 1 Could is part of the verb can. You use could to say that something might happen. It could rain tomorrow.
VERB 2 You also say could when you are asking for something politely. Could you please tell me the way to the station?
council