GRE Words Starting with C (196 words)

capricious

given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior.

I almost died in a capricious winter storm.

cerebral

Of, or relating to the brain, cerebrum, or cerebral cortex.

the cerebral cortex/hemisphere

congenial

Having the same or very similar nature, personality, tastes, habits or interests.

The town is a congenial place for raising children.

conspicuous

Obvious or easy to notice.

He was conspicuous by his absence.

cursory

hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed.

Most junk mail requires only a cursory glance.

calumny

the making of false and defamatory statements about someone in order to damage their reputation; slander.

denounced his opponent for his defamatory insinuations and calumny

candid

truthful and straightforward; frank.

His portraits looked stiff and formal but his candids showed life being lived.

castigate

reprimand (someone) severely.

The judge castigated the lawyers for their lack of preparation.

caustic

Any substance or means which, applied to animal or other organic tissue, burns, corrodes, or destroys it by chemical action; an escharotic.

The word 'caustic' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

construe

interpret (a word or action) in a particular way.

The word 'construe' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

contrite

feeling or expressing remorse at the recognition that one has done wrong.

a contrite criminal

convoluted

To make unnecessarily complex.

He gave a convoluted explanation that amounted to little more than a weak excuse for his absence.

covet

yearn to possess (something, especially something belonging to another).

covet an award

craven

contemptibly lacking in courage; cowardly.

… craven mercenaries who would not fight …

cacophonous

involving or producing a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.

like an old battlefield, once cacophonous with the clash of steel, the roar of cannon, the screams of wounded and dying men

canonize

To declare (a deceased person) as a saint, and enter them into the canon of saints.

She died 100 years ago and was canonized in Rome last year.

censure

express severe disapproval of (someone or something), especially in a formal statement.

The word 'censure' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

chicanery

the use of deception or subterfuge to achieve one's purpose.

He wasn't above using chicanery to win votes.

coalesce

come together to form one mass or whole.

The edges of the wound coalesced .

cogent

(of an argument or case) clear, logical, and convincing.

The prosecution presented a cogent argument, convincing the jury of the defendant's guilt.

compelling

evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way.

The word 'compelling' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

contend

To strive in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight.

contended with the problems of municipal government

copious

abundant in supply or quantity.

a copious harvest

cosmopolitan

A cosmopolitan person; a cosmopolite.

The word 'cosmopolitan' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

cherish

To treat with affection, care, and tenderness; to nurture or protect with care.

I cherish your friendship.

corroborate

confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding).

Two witnesses corroborated [= confirmed ] his story.

clangor

a continuous loud banging or ringing sound.

The word 'clangor' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

conventional

A conventional gilt-edged security, a kind of bond paying the holder a fixed cash payment (or coupon) every six months until maturity, at which point the holder receives the final payment and the return of the principal.

The number sign is the conventional symbol for labeling something measured in pounds.

chauvinistic

feeling or displaying aggressive or exaggerated patriotism.

The word 'chauvinistic' is commonly used in GRE vocabulary.

connoisseur

an expert judge in matters of taste.

wine connoisseurs

Browse by Letter