Last Updated: August 2025
Ever found yourself stuck in a word game trying to think of verbs that start with C? Whether you’re crushing it at Scrabble, teaching English as a second language, conducting linguistic research, or simply expanding your vocabulary, this comprehensive academically-sourced guide is your ultimate resource!
Verbs derive from Latin verbum, meaning both “word” and “verb”, and those starting with C represent some of the most versatile action words in the English language. This guide compiles over 150 verbs starting with C, supported by authoritative linguistic sources and etymological research.
Disclaimer: This list is compiled for educational and entertainment purposes. Some regional variations in usage may apply.
Academic Foundation & Linguistic Authority
This guide draws upon established linguistic authorities and scholarly sources:
Primary Dictionary Sources
- Oxford English Dictionary (OED): The canonical descriptive linguistics authority among English dictionaries
- Merriam-Webster Dictionary: One of the authoritative dictionaries for English alongside the OED
- Online Etymology Dictionary (Etymonline): The internet’s go-to source for quick and reliable accounts of the origin and history of English words
Academic Research Sources
- The Oxford Reference Guide to English Morphology (Bauer, Lieber, & Plag): A comprehensive, data-rich, theory-neutral description of English word formation, including inflection and derivation
- Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Linguistics: Authoritative source for denominal verbs and morphological processes
- University of Sheffield Linguistics Department: Academic research on morphology as the study of internal structure of words
Complete List of Verbs That Start With C
Common C Verbs (Everyday Action Words)
Call – To shout, telephone, or summon someone
- Etymology: Middle English, from Old Norse kalla (Etymonline)
Come – To move toward or arrive at a place
- Etymology: Old English cuman, from Proto-Germanic kweman (OED)
Can – To be able to do something (auxiliary verb)
- Etymology: Old English cunnan “to know” (Merriam-Webster)
Care – To feel concern or interest for someone or something
- Etymology: Old English carian, from Proto-Germanic karojanan (Etymonline)
Carry – To hold and transport something Catch – To capture or grab something in motion Change – To make or become different Check – To examine, verify, or inspect Choose – To select from available options Clean – To remove dirt or make something tidy Clear – To remove obstacles or make something transparent Climb – To go up using hands and feet Close – To shut or bring together Cook – To prepare food by heating Cool – To make or become less warm Copy – To make an identical reproduction Count – To determine the total number Cover – To place something over or protect Create – To bring something into existence Cry – To shed tears or call out loudly Cut – To divide with a sharp instrument
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Positive Verbs That Start With C
Celebrate – To honor or commemorate with festivities Compliment – To express praise or admiration Congratulate – To express joy for someone’s achievement Comfort – To provide solace or ease suffering Cheer – To encourage or express joy Cherish – To hold dear or treasure Clarify – To make clear or easier to understand Collaborate – To work together on a project Contribute – To give or add to a common effort Connect – To link or join together Cultivate – To foster growth or development Champion – To support or defend a cause Console – To comfort someone in distress Counsel – To give advice or guidance
Advanced Verbs Starting With C
Circumnavigate – To travel completely around something
- Linguistic Note: Latin prefix circum- (around) + navigare (to sail)
Choreograph – To design and arrange dance movements
- Etymology: From Greek choreia (dance) + graphein (to write)
Crystallize – To form into crystals or become clear Culminate – To reach the highest point or climax Commemorate – To honor the memory of something Conceptualize – To form an idea or concept Consolidate – To combine or strengthen Corroborate – To confirm or support with evidence Categorize – To arrange into classes or groups Calibrate – To adjust or mark for accurate measurement Contemplate – To think deeply about something Contradict – To assert the opposite of a statement Constitute – To form or make up Characterize – To describe typical qualities Circumvent – To find a way around an obstacle
Professional & Academic C Verbs
Calculate – To compute or determine mathematically Coordinate – To organize or harmonize efforts Communicate – To convey information or ideas Concentrate – To focus attention or effort Construct – To build or put together Conduct – To lead or direct an activity Compose – To create or write music/literature Compile – To collect and assemble information Configure – To arrange or set up components Consult – To seek advice or information Correlate – To show a connection between things Critique – To analyze and evaluate critically Certify – To confirm or attest officially Conclude – To bring to an end or decide Contemplate – To consider thoughtfully
Creative & Artistic Verbs That Start With C
Craft – To make or create skillfully Carve – To cut or shape material Capture – To record or represent in art Color – To add color or tint Compose – To create music or literature Choreograph – To design dance routines Curate – To select and organize for exhibition Customize – To modify to individual requirements Contour – To shape following natural lines Collage – To create art by combining materials
Movement & Physical Verbs That Start With C
Crawl – To move on hands and knees Chase – To pursue quickly Charge – To move forward with force Circle – To move in a circular path Creep – To move slowly and quietly Crash – To collide forcefully Cruise – To travel at a steady comfortable speed Cycle – To move in cycles or ride a bicycle Canter – To move at a moderate gallop Cartwheel – To perform a sideways rotating movement
Communication Verbs Starting With C
Converse – To engage in conversation Confess – To admit or acknowledge Complain – To express dissatisfaction Clarify – To make something clearer Convince – To persuade someone to believe Confront – To face or deal with directly Console – To comfort in distress Confirm – To verify or establish certainty Confide – To share secrets or private matters Caution – To warn of danger or risk
Morphological Analysis
Word Formation Processes
Denominal verbs are formed from nouns by various word-formation processes such as derivation, conversion, or less common mechanisms. Many C-verbs demonstrate these processes:
Conversion Examples:
- Chair (noun) → Chair (verb: “to preside over”)
- Color (noun) → Color (verb: “to add color”)
Derivation Examples:
- Clear + -ify → Clarify
- Character + -ize → Characterize
5-Letter Verbs That Start With C (For Word Games)
For word game enthusiasts, here are popular 5-letter verbs starting with C:
Chase, Check, Cheer, Chest, Chill, Churn, Claim, Clamp, Clean, Clear, Click, Climb, Cling, Clock, Close, Coach, Coast, Cover, Crack, Craft, Crash, Crawl, Creak, Cross, Crowd, Crush
Cross-Linguistic Cognates
Spanish Verbs (Cognates)
Many verbs starting with C share Latin roots across languages:
- Celebrar (Celebrate)
- Combinar (Combine)
- Comunicar (Communicate)
- Confirmar (Confirm)
- Construir (Construct)
French Verbs
Common French C-verbs include:
- Chanter (to sing)
- Chercher (to search)
- Choisir (to choose)
- Commencer (to begin)
Etymology and Historical Development
Latin Origins
Many C-verbs derive from Latin verbum, dating to Late 14th century from Old French verbe and Latin verbum meaning “a word” or part of speech expressing action.
Common Latin roots include:
- Capere (to take): Capture, Catch
- Currere (to run): Current-related verbs
- Creare (to create): Create, Creative processes
Germanic Origins
Some C-verbs have Germanic roots:
- Climb: Old English climban
- Call: Old Norse kalla
- Come: Proto-Germanic kweman
Academic Applications
For Linguistic Research
This compilation supports research in:
- Morphological studies: Morphology as the study of internal structure of words forms a core part of linguistic study
- Etymology research: Historical development patterns
- Comparative linguistics: Cross-language verb formation
For ESL Education
C-verbs serve as excellent teaching tools for:
- Basic conversation skills (common words like call, come, can)
- Academic writing (conclude, construct, contemplate)
- Business communication (communicate, collaborate, contribute)
For Lexicography
Professional dictionary compilation benefits from systematic verb categorization and etymological research supported by authoritative sources.
Theoretical Implications
Morphological analysis reveals that many C-verbs demonstrate the complex relationship between inflection and word formation, with examples showing:
- Inflectional patterns: Call/Called/Calling
- Derivational processes: Create/Creation/Creative
- Conversion mechanisms: Chair (n.) → Chair (v.)
References and Further Reading
Primary Sources
- Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press.
- Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
- Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper.
Academic References
- Bauer, L., Lieber, R., & Plag, I. (2013). The Oxford Reference Guide to English Morphology. Oxford University Press.
- Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Linguistics – Morphology Section.
- University of Sheffield Department of Linguistics. (2022). Morphological Studies.
Specialized Linguistic Resources
- Oxford Encyclopedia of Morphology. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Linguistics.
- Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA). Mark Davies, Brigham Young University.
Conclusion
This academically-grounded compilation of 150+ verbs starting with C provides linguistic researchers, educators, and language enthusiasts with a comprehensive, source-backed reference. Drawing from authoritative dictionaries, morphological research, and etymological studies, this guide demonstrates the rich diversity and historical development of English C-verbs.
The systematic categorization and academic sourcing make this resource valuable for scholarly research, pedagogical applications, and advanced vocabulary development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What verb begins with C?
The most common verb starting with C is “call,” supported by extensive usage data from the Corpus of Contemporary American English and major dictionaries.
What is a positive verb that starts with C?
Positive C-verbs include “celebrate,” “compliment,” “comfort,” and “contribute” – all documented in major dictionaries with positive semantic associations.
What are the etymological origins of C-verbs?
Most derive from Latin verbum, Old French, or Germanic roots, with the term “verb” itself coming from Late 14th century Old French verbe and Latin verbum.
सी से शुरू होने वाली सकारात्मक क्रिया क्या है?
Positive verbs that start with C include “celebrate” (मनाना), “create” (बनाना), “care” (देखभाल करना), “comfort” (आराम देना), and “contribute” (योगदान देना).
एक क्रियात्मक क्रिया क्या है जो सी से शुरू होती है?
Action words that start with C include “catch” (पकड़ना), “climb” (चढ़ना), “cook” (पकाना), “cut” (काटना), and “carry” (ले जाना).
What are 50 strong verbs examples?
Strong verbs that start with C include: create, construct, communicate, contribute, collaborate, celebrate, challenge, characterize, choreograph, circumnavigate, culminate, cultivate, clarify, consolidate, contemplate, coordinate, correlate, crystallize, customize, and many others from our comprehensive list above.
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