40 Popular Adjectives That Start with C in English

40 Adjectives That Start With C

Interesting Adjectives

Capricious

/kəˈprɪʃ.əs/

Definition: Changing mood or behavior suddenly and unexpectedly

Example. A capricious child.

Cantankerous

/ˌkænˈtæŋ.kɚ.əs/

Definition: Annoyed and tending to argue and complain

Example. We get agitated, fretful, cantankerous, and panicky.

Crestfallen

/ˈkrestˌfɑː.lən/

Definition: Disappointed and sad because of having failed unexpectedly.

Example. She looked crestfallen at his decision.

Cadaverous

/kəˈdæv.ɚ.əs/

Definition: Looking pale, thin, and ill

Example. Her face is stupid, her skin is cadaverous… she does not have a human form.

Crotchety

/ˈkrɑtʃ·ɪ·t̬i/

Definition: Easily annoyed or angered

Example. After 9 hours in the car, we were all getting crotchety.

Positive Adjectives to Describe a Person

Cautious

/ˈkɑː.ʃəs/

Definition: not acting quickly in order to avoid risks; careful

Example. Most doctors are cautious about advising you to have surgery.

Cultured

/ˈkʌl.tʃɚd/

Definition: A cultured person has had a good education and knows a lot about art, music, literature, etc.

Example. Cultured family, but poverty.

Carefree

/ˈker.friː/

Definition: Having no problems or not being worried about anything

Example. She changed from a carefree girl into a woman.

Charitable

/ˈtʃer.ə.t̬ə.bəl/

Definition: Giving money, food, or help free to those who are in need because they are ill, poor, or have no home

Example. He is known as a charitable person.

Childlike

/ˈtʃaɪld.laɪk/

Definition: (of adults) showing the good qualities that children have, such as trusting people, being honest and enthusiastic

Example. All his life he had a childlike trust in other people.

Positive Adjectives to Describe a Place

Calm

/kɑːm/

Definition: Peaceful, quiet

Example. After a night of fighting, the streets are now calm.

Cool

/kuːl/

Definition: the pleasant, slightly cold temperature of a place

Example. She loved the cool of the early morning.

Cheerful

/ˈtʃɪr.fəl/

Definition: used to describe a place or thing that is bright and pleasant and makes you feel positive and happy

Example. The hospital waiting room was bright and cheerful with yellow walls and curtains.

Capacious

/kəˈpeɪ.ʃəs/

Definition: having a lot of space and able to contain a lot

Example. A capacious room.

Cozy

/ˈkoʊ.zi/

Definition: comfortable, pleasant, and inviting, esp. (of a room or building) because small and warm

Example. A cozy house tucked away in the trees.

Negative Adjectives to Describe a Person

Cruel

/ˈkruː.əl/

Definition: Extremely unkind and intentionally causing pain

Example. His classmates made some cruel remarks.

Careless

/ˈker.ləs/

Definition: not taking or showing enough care and attention

Example. She’s very careless with her money.

Captious

/ˈkæp.ʃəs/

Definition: often expressing criticisms about matters that are not important

Example. A captious teacher.

Cowardly

 /ˈkaʊ.ɚd.li/

Definition: in a way that is not at all brave and tries to avoid danger

Example. A cowardly attack on a helpless victim.

Cynical

/ˈsɪn.ɪ.kəl/

Definition: believing that people are only interested in themselves and are not sincere

Example. He has a pretty cynical view of women.

Negative Adjectives to Describe an Event

Chaotic

/keɪˈɑː.t̬ɪk/

Definition: in a state of chaos

Example. The house is a bit chaotic at the moment.

Calamitous

/kəˈlæm.ə.t̬əs/

Definition: causing great damage or suffering

Example. The team suffered a calamitous defeat yesterday.

Conspiratorial

/kənˌspɪr.əˈtɔː.ri.əl/

Definition: Relating to a secret plan to do something bad

Example. He gave me a sly, conspiratorial wink.

Catastrophic

/ˌkæt̬.əˈstrɑː.fɪk/

Definition: causing sudden and very great harm or destruction

Example. A catastrophic storm made landfall on UK soil.

Controversial

/ˌkɑːn.trəˈvɝː.ʃəl/

Definition: causing or likely to cause disagreement

Example. The book was very controversial.

Negative Adjectives to Describe a Place

Crumbly

/ˈkrʌm.bəl.i/

Definition: breaking easily into small pieces

Example. The cheese is crumbly and moist.

Craggy

/ˈkræɡ.i/

Definition: having many crags

Example. A craggy coastline.

Crummy

 /ˈkrʌm.i/

Definition: very bad quality

Example. A crummy old house.

Constrict

 /kənˈstrɪkt/

Definition: to become tighter and narrower

Example. He hated wearing a tie – he felt it constricted his breathing.

Cursed

 /ˈkɝːst/

Definition: experiencing bad luck caused by a magic curse

Example. I think my car is cursed – it never starts when I need it.

Heroic Adjectives

Combative

/ˈkɑːm.bə.t̬ɪv/

Definition: eager to fight or argue

Example. She’s done with a combative attitude.

Chivalrous

/ˈʃɪv.əl.rəs/

Definition: (of a man or his behavior) courteous and gallant, especially toward women.

Example. Shall I be chivalrous and offer you my coat?

Commendable

/kəˈmen.də.bəl/

Definition: Deserving praise

Example. It was very tough but commendable.

Coercive

/koʊˈɝː.sɪv/

Definition: Using force to persuade people to do things that they are unwilling to do

Example. It’s the coercive arm of the state, and if it turns bad.

Courageous

/kəˈreɪ.dʒəs/

Definition: not deterred by danger or pain; brave

Example. His courageous human rights work

Sporty Adjectives

Competitive

/kəmˈpet̬.ə.t̬ɪv/

Definition: involving competition

Example. A competitive sport.

Coltish

/ˈkoʊl.tɪʃ/

Definition: young and energetic but awkward

Example. Their impossibly coltish legs.

Compulsive

/kəmˈpʌl.sɪv/

Definition: doing something a lot and unable to stop doing it

Example. This play is compulsive viewing.

Competent

/ˈkɑːm.pə.t̬ənt/

Definition: able to do something well

Example. She’s highly competent at her work.

Crucial

/ˈkruː.ʃəl/

Definition: extremely important or necessary

Example. A crucial match.

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