Verbs That Start With C | List of Common, Positive & Action Words

Verbs are the powerhouse of language, bringing movement, expression, and meaning to every sentence. Among them, verbs that start with the letter C hold a special charm that is filled with creativity, connection, and clarity. 

From simple actions like call and cook to more impactful ones such as create, care, and conquer, these verbs that start with c enrich our communication with energy and purpose. Whether you are a student expanding your vocabulary, a writer looking to add variety, or simply a language enthusiast, exploring verbs that start with C will sharpen your expression and make your speech and writing more dynamic. 

List of Verbs That Start With C 

The English language is full of versatile verbs that begin with the letter C, ranging from simple everyday actions to more complex and meaningful expressions. These verbs help you describe movement, emotions, ideas, and interactions with precision. For example, words like call, carry, choose, and cook are common in daily conversations, while verbs such as conquer, cherish, create, and contemplate add depth and power to your writing. Below, you’ll find an extensive list of C-verbs along with their meanings, making it easier to expand your vocabulary and use them effectively in both speech and writing.

Common Verbs Starting With C

These verbs are used in everyday conversations and writing.  

• Call – to contact someone by phone.
  Example: I will call you after dinner. 
• Carry – to hold and move something from one place to another.
  Example: She helped carry the groceries inside. 
• Cook – to prepare food by heating.
  Example: He loves to cook Italian dishes. 
• Clean – to make something free from dirt.
  Example: Please clean your room before guests arrive. 
• Climb – to go upward, usually by using hands and feet.
  Example: We plan to climb the mountain tomorrow. 
• Catch – to capture something moving.
  Example: She managed to catch the ball just in time. 
• Choose – to select from options.
  Example: You must choose the best candidate for the job. 
• Cut – to divide something using a sharp tool.
  Example: He used scissors to cut the paper. 
• Cry – to shed tears.
  Example: The child began to cry after losing his toy. 
• Check – to examine or verify something.
  Example: Please check your answers before submitting. 
• Change – to make something different.
  Example: She wants to change her hairstyle. 
• Close – to shut something.
  Example: Don’t forget to close the door behind you. 
• Call out – to shout or address loudly.
  Example: The teacher had to call out the students for being noisy. 
• Count – to determine the total number.
  Example: The child learned to count from one to ten. 
• Cover – to place something over or on top of another.
  Example: Please cover the pot while it cooks.

Positive Verbs Starting With C

These verbs express encouragement, kindness, and creativity. 

Verb	Meaning	Example
Create	to bring something into existence	Artists love to create beautiful paintings.
Cherish	to hold dear or value deeply	I will always cherish our friendship.
Celebrate	to honor or enjoy a special occasion	We gathered to celebrate her birthday.
Compliment	to say something nice about someone	He complimented her on her hard work.
Care	to look after or be concerned about	Nurses care for patients with love and patience.
Comfort	to ease someone’s pain or distress	She tried to comfort her friend after the loss.
Contribute	to give or add to a cause	Many people contribute to charity each year.
Counsel	to advise or guide	Teachers often counsel students on career paths.
Collaborate	to work together for a common goal	Writers collaborate on projects to share ideas.
Connect	to establish a relationship	Music helps people connect across cultures.
Coach	to train or mentor	She will coach the new employees.
Cultivate	to develop skills or nurture growth	They aim to cultivate creativity in children.
Compliment	to praise sincerely	She complimented the chef on the delicious meal.
Console	to comfort someone in distress	He tried to console his crying sister.
Champion	to advocate strongly for a cause	She continues to champion women’s rights.

Action Verbs Starting With C 

These verbs describe strong physical or dynamic actions.

• Chase – to run after someone or something.
  Example: The dog tried to chase the cat. 
• Charge – to rush forward aggressively.
  Example: The soldiers charged toward the enemy. 
• Clap – to strike hands together to show approval.
  Example: The audience began to clap loudly. 
• Crash – to collide with force.
  Example: The car crashed into the fence. 
• Clutch – to grasp tightly.
  Example: She clutched her purse in fear. 
• Crush – to press or squeeze with force.
  Example: He accidentally crushed the paper in his hands. 
• Crack – to break slightly without completely splitting.
  Example: Be careful not to crack the glass. 
• Clash – to fight or conflict.
  Example: The two rivals clashed during the debate. 
• Crawl – to move on hands and knees.
  Example: The baby began to crawl across the floor. 
• Cling – to hold on tightly.
  Example: The child clung to her mother’s hand. 
• Chip – to break off a small piece.
  Example: He accidentally chipped the mug. 
• Clog – to block passage.
  Example: Hair can clog the bathroom drain. 
• Catch up – to move fast enough to reach someone.
  Example: He ran to catch up with his friends. 
• Clamp – to fasten or secure tightly.
  Example: The mechanic clamped the parts together. 
• Chuck – to throw casually.
  Example: He chucked his bag onto the chair.

Rare and Unique Verbs Starting With C 

These verbs are less common but add depth to language. 

Verb	Meaning	Example
Cajole	to persuade through flattery	He tried to cajole her into joining the trip.
Capitulate	to surrender or yield	The army had to capitulate after losing the battle.
Cauterize	to burn tissue to stop bleeding	The doctor had to cauterize the wound.
Confound	to surprise or confuse	The puzzle will confound even experts.
Corroborate	to confirm or support with evidence	The witness corroborated the story.
Coax	to gently persuade	She tried to coax the kitten out of hiding.
Commingle	to mix together	The flavors commingled beautifully in the dish.
Convoke	to summon a group for a meeting	The board will convoke tomorrow.
Cull	to select or remove from a group	Farmers cull weak animals from the herd.
Circumnavigate	to travel all the way around	He dreamed of circumnavigating the globe.
Chasten	to discipline or correct	The teacher tried to chasten the disruptive student.
Cleave	to split or cut apart	He used an axe to cleave the wood.
Consign	to deliver something formally	The goods were consigned to the warehouse.
Conflate	to combine two ideas into one	The article conflated facts with opinions.
Cavort	to jump or dance around playfully	The children cavorted in the playground.

Regular Verbs That Start With C 

Regular verbs form their past tense by simply adding -ed.

• Call – to contact someone by phone.
  Example: I will call my friend tonight. 
• Care – to look after or show concern.
  Example: Nurses care for their patients daily. 
• Clean – to make something free of dirt.
  Example: She cleaned the kitchen this morning. 
• Cook – to prepare food with heat.
  Example: He likes to cook pasta on weekends. 
• Clap – to strike hands together in applause.
  Example: The crowd clapped for the winner. 
• Collect – to gather items together.
  Example: She collected stamps from around the world. 
• Check – to examine or verify.
  Example: Please check your homework before submitting. 
• Change – to make something different.
  Example: She changed her hairstyle yesterday. 
• Chop – to cut into small pieces.
  Example: He chopped vegetables for the soup. 
• Claim – to state something as true.
  Example: She claimed the prize confidently. 
• Cancel – to call off an event.
  Example: They canceled the meeting due to rain. 
• Coach – to train or instruct.
  Example: He coached the football team for years. 
• Copy – to reproduce something.
  Example: She copied the notes from the board. 
• Cover – to place something over another.
  Example: Please cover the pot while it boils. 
• Crash – to collide violently.
  Example: The car crashed into the barrier.

Irregular Verbs Starting With C

Irregular verbs have unique past tense forms, not just -ed.

Verb	Meaning	Example
Catch	to seize something in motion	She caught the ball easily.
Choose	to select from options	He chose the red car.
Come	to move toward a place	They came to the party late.
Cost	to require payment	The shoes cost a lot of money.
Cut	to divide using a sharp object	He cut the paper neatly.
Creep	to move slowly and quietly	The thief crept into the house.
Cast	to throw something	The fisherman cast his net.
Cling	to hold tightly	The child clung to her mother.
Cling	to attach closely	Vines clung to the wall.
Crow	to boast or make a loud sound	The rooster crew at dawn.
Clothe	to dress or cover	She was clad in silk.
Cleave	to split or cut	He cleft the log in two.
Crossbreed	to breed two different species	They crossbred two dog breeds.
Choose	to decide between things	She chose wisely.
Catch	to intercept or seize	He caught the train just in time.

Phrasal Verbs Starting With C

Phrasal verbs = verb + preposition/adverb, with unique meanings.

• Call off – to cancel.
  Example: They had to call off the concert. 
• Carry on – to continue.
  Example: She carried on with her studies. 
• Catch up – to reach the same level as others.
  Example: He ran fast to catch up with his friends. 
• Check in – to register at a hotel/airport.
  Example: We checked in at the hotel. 
• Check out – to leave after paying.
  Example: They checked out at noon. 
• Clam up – to suddenly stop talking.
  Example: He clammed up when asked about the secret. 
• Clear up – to resolve or explain.
  Example: The teacher cleared up the confusion. 
• Close down – to shut permanently.
  Example: The shop closed down last year. 
• Come across – to find unexpectedly.
  Example: She came across an old diary. 
• Come up with – to invent or produce.
  Example: He came up with a great idea. 
• Count on – to rely upon.
  Example: You can count on me. 
• Cut off – to disconnect.
  Example: They were cut off during the phone call. 
• Cut down – to reduce.
  Example: He cut down on sugar. 
• Carry out – to perform or execute.
  Example: The team carried out the plan. 
• Catch on – to become popular or understand.
  Example: The new song quickly caught on.

Popular & Impactful Verbs That Start With C

These verbs are widely used and carry strong meaning in communication, leadership, and creativity.

Verb	Meaning	Example
Create	to make something new	She loves to create digital art.
Conquer	to overcome or defeat	He conquered his fears.
Cultivate	to nurture or develop	Farmers cultivate their land.
Champion	to advocate strongly	She champions equality at work.
Connect	to link or establish a relationship	Social media helps us connect globally.
Collaborate	to work together	Scientists collaborate on projects worldwide.
Counsel	to guide or advise	The teacher counseled her students.
Challenge	to dare or test	He challenged himself to climb higher.
Celebrate	to honor with joy	We celebrate small wins daily.
Cherish	to value deeply	She will always cherish her family.
Coach	to mentor or train	He coaches young athletes.
Care	to show concern and kindness	Parents deeply care for their children.
Comfort	to ease someone’s suffering	She comforted her friend in grief.
Contribute	to give or donate	Many contribute to community service.
Command	to lead or order	The general commanded the troops.

Fun Facts About Words Beginning With C

• Third Most Common Letter – The letter C is the third letter in the English alphabet and one of the most frequently used consonants in both spoken and written English. 
• Roman Roots – In ancient Roman numerals, C stands for 100 (from the Latin word centum). That’s why we see it in terms like century and centennial. 
• Chameleon Letter – C is known as a “soft and hard letter.” It can sound like /k/ in cat or like /s/ in a circle. This versatility makes it one of the trickiest letters for English learners. 
• Powerful Prefix – Many impactful English words start with “co-” (from Latin), such as cooperate, connect, collaborate, contribute. This prefix often implies togetherness or sharing. 
• Word Builder – Verbs beginning with C are action-packed. Many of them, like create, challenge, cherish, and conquer, are tied to growth, achievement, and positivity. 
• Global Influence – Some of the most borrowed words in English begin with C, such as café (French), cigar (Spanish), and chocolate (Nahuatl). 
• Alphabet Balance – In Scrabble, the letter C is worth 3 points, making it more valuable than many vowels but not as rare as high-point letters like Q or Z. 
• Science & Tech Friendly – Many scientific and technical terms begin with C: carbon, cell, circuit, code, compute. These highlight its importance in modern vocabulary.

Read: Verbs That Start With A

Read: Verbs That Start With B

Conclusion

Verbs that start with the letter C are diverse, powerful, and essential for expressing ideas clearly. From common verbs like call, cook, and clean to impactful ones such as create, conquer, and connect, these words enrich both everyday conversations and professional writing. By learning and using more C-verbs, you can expand your vocabulary, communicate with greater precision, and make your language more engaging. Whether you’re a student, writer, or English learner, verbs beginning with C will always add creativity, clarity, and confidence to your expression.