This list brings together 99 verbs starting with the letter C, running from “Calculate” all the way to “Cry”. They cover everyday actions you use in conversation, writing, and daily tasks, from simple physical movements like “climb” and “crawl” to mental actions like “consider” and “conceive”. You’ll find them useful whether you’re building your vocabulary, studying grammar, or just looking for the right word to describe something you did.

Verbs are the words that show action, occurrence, or a state of being in a sentence, and they’re what turn a group of words into something that actually happens. English has thousands of them, and the letter C alone gives us some of the most common ones we use every day, like “call”, “care”, and “cook”. Interestingly, many C verbs, such as “compute” and “connect”, have taken on entirely new meanings since the rise of computers and the internet.

Below you’ll find the table with Word, Tense Forms, Definition, Example Usage, and Description.

Word: the verb itself in its base, or infinitive, form, so you can quickly scan the list and find the one you need.

Tense Forms: shows the past simple and past participle forms, helping you use the verb correctly in different tenses.

Definition: a short, plain explanation of what the verb means, so you understand it at a glance without extra research.

Example Usage: a sample sentence showing the verb in a natural, everyday context, making it easier to see how it works in practice.

Description: a fuller explanation with extra context or nuance, useful when you want a deeper understanding of how and when to use the word.

Verbs

WordTense FormsDefinitionExample Usage
Calculatecalculated / calculatedTo work out a number or amount using mathShe calculated the total cost of the trip.
Callcalled / calledTo say something loudly or contact someone by phoneHe called his brother to share the news.
Campcamped / campedTo stay outdoors in a tent or similar shelterThey camped beside the lake for the weekend.
Cancelcancelled / cancelledTo stop something planned from happeningThe airline cancelled the flight due to weather.
Capturecaptured / capturedTo catch or take control of someone or somethingThe photographer captured a stunning sunset.
Carecared / caredTo feel concern or provide for someone’s needsShe cares deeply about her patients.
Carrycarried / carriedTo hold and transport something from one place to anotherHe carried the boxes up the stairs.
Carvecarved / carvedTo cut material into a shape or slice meatShe carved a bird from a block of wood.
Cashcashed / cashedTo exchange a check or voucher for moneyHe cashed his paycheck at the bank.
Catchcaught / caughtTo grab hold of something moving through the airThe dog caught the frisbee mid-air.
Causecaused / causedTo make something happenThe storm caused significant damage.
Celebratecelebrated / celebratedTo mark a special occasion with enjoymentThey celebrated her graduation with a party.
Changechanged / changedTo make or become differentThe city changed a lot in ten years.
Chargecharged / chargedTo ask a price or attack forcefullyThe mechanic charged fifty dollars for the repair.
Charmcharmed / charmedTo please or attract someone through appealing qualitiesThe tour guide charmed the whole group.
Chasechased / chasedTo run after someone or something to catch itThe cat chased the mouse across the yard.
Chatchatted / chattedTo talk informally with someoneWe chatted over coffee for an hour.
Cheatcheated / cheatedTo act dishonestly to gain an advantageHe was caught cheating on the exam.
Checkchecked / checkedTo examine something to verify it is correctShe checked her email before the meeting.
Cheercheered / cheeredTo shout in approval or encouragementThe crowd cheered as the team scored.
Chewchewed / chewedTo crush food repeatedly with the teethThe dog chewed happily on its bone.
Choosechose / chosenTo select one option from a groupShe chose the blue dress for the party.
Chopchopped / choppedTo cut something into pieces with a sharp toolHe chopped vegetables for the soup.
Claimclaimed / claimedTo state that something is true or ask for something owedShe claimed the prize she had won.
Clapclapped / clappedTo strike the hands together to applaudThe audience clapped enthusiastically after the show.
Clarifyclarified / clarifiedTo make something clearer or easier to understandCould you clarify what you meant?
Classifyclassified / classifiedTo arrange things into groups based on shared traitsScientists classify animals by their characteristics.
Cleancleaned / cleanedTo remove dirt from somethingShe cleaned the kitchen after dinner.
Clearcleared / clearedTo remove obstacles or make something plainHe cleared the table after the meal.
Climbclimbed / climbedTo move upward using hands and feetThey climbed the mountain at sunrise.
Clingclung / clungTo hold on tightly to somethingThe child clung to her mother’s hand.
Clipclipped / clippedTo cut something short or fasten with a clipShe clipped the coupon from the newspaper.
Closeclosed / closedTo shut something or bring it to an endHe closed the door behind him.
Coachcoached / coachedTo train or instruct someone, especially in sportsShe coaches the local youth soccer team.
Collaboratecollaborated / collaboratedTo work jointly with others on a taskThe two artists collaborated on a mural.
Collectcollected / collectedTo gather things togetherHe collects vintage stamps as a hobby.
Combinecombined / combinedTo join two or more things togetherCombine the flour and sugar in a bowl.
Comecame / comeTo move toward or arrive at a placeShe came to visit us last weekend.
Comfortcomforted / comfortedTo ease someone’s grief or distressShe comforted her friend after the loss.
Commandcommanded / commandedTo give an authoritative orderThe general commanded his troops to advance.
Commentcommented / commentedTo express an opinion or observationHe commented on the quality of the food.
Commitcommitted / committedTo pledge to a course of action or carry out an actShe committed herself to finishing the project.
Communicatecommunicated / communicatedTo share information or ideas with othersThey communicate mostly by email.
Comparecompared / comparedTo examine similarities and differences between thingsShe compared the prices at two stores.
Competecompeted / competedTo take part in a contest against othersRunners from twenty countries competed in the race.
Compilecompiled / compiledTo gather information into a single document or collectionHe compiled a list of useful resources.
Complaincomplained / complainedTo express dissatisfaction about somethingThe customer complained about the slow service.
Completecompleted / completedTo finish something fullyShe completed the marathon in under four hours.
Composecomposed / composedTo create or put together, especially music or writingHe composed a symphony for the orchestra.
Computecomputed / computedTo calculate a number or resultThe software computes the total automatically.
Concealconcealed / concealedTo hide something from view or knowledgeShe concealed her disappointment with a smile.
Concentrateconcentrated / concentratedTo focus attention fully on one thingHe concentrated on his homework for hours.
Conceiveconceived / conceivedTo form an idea in the mind or become pregnantShe conceived a brilliant plan for the campaign.
Concernconcerned / concernedTo relate to or worry someoneThis decision concerns the whole team.
Concludeconcluded / concludedTo bring something to an end or reach a decisionThe judge concluded the trial after two weeks.
Condemncondemned / condemnedTo express strong disapproval of somethingLeaders condemned the attack immediately.
Conductconducted / conductedTo organize and carry out an activity, or lead an orchestraScientists conducted an experiment to test the theory.
Confessconfessed / confessedTo admit to a wrongdoing or a secretHe confessed to breaking the vase.
Confideconfided / confidedTo share a secret with someone trustedShe confided her fears to her best friend.
Confirmconfirmed / confirmedTo state that something is true or definiteThe hotel confirmed our reservation by email.
Confrontconfronted / confrontedTo face a difficult situation or person directlyShe confronted her coworker about the mistake.
Confuseconfused / confusedTo cause someone to be unclear or mixed upThe instructions confused most of the students.
Connectconnected / connectedTo join or link two or more thingsThe bridge connects the two islands.
Conquerconquered / conqueredTo defeat or take control by forceThe empire conquered neighboring territories.
Considerconsidered / consideredTo think carefully about somethingPlease consider all the options before deciding.
Consoleconsoled / consoledTo comfort someone who is upsetFriends gathered to console the grieving family.
Constructconstructed / constructedTo build something by putting parts togetherWorkers constructed a new bridge over the river.
Consultconsulted / consultedTo seek advice or information from someoneShe consulted a doctor about her symptoms.
Consumeconsumed / consumedTo eat, drink, or use something upThe factory consumes large amounts of energy.
Contactcontacted / contactedTo get in touch with someonePlease contact us if you have questions.
Containcontained / containedTo hold something inside or keep it under controlThe box contains old photographs.
Continuecontinued / continuedTo keep doing something without stoppingThey continued walking despite the rain.
Contractcontracted / contractedTo become smaller, or to agree to a formal arrangementThe metal contracts as it cools.
Contradictcontradicted / contradictedTo say the opposite of what someone else statedHis story contradicted the witness’s account.
Contributecontributed / contributedTo give something, such as money, time, or ideas, to a shared effortEveryone contributed ideas for the fundraiser.
Controlcontrolled / controlledTo have power over something and direct its behaviorThe pilot controls the aircraft’s altitude.
Convertconverted / convertedTo change something into a different formThey converted the barn into a house.
Convinceconvinced / convincedTo persuade someone that something is trueShe convinced him to join the team.
Cookcooked / cookedTo prepare food using heatHe cooks dinner for his family every night.
Coolcooled / cooledTo become or make something less warmThe soup needs to cool before serving.
Cooperatecooperated / cooperatedTo work together toward a common goalThe two departments cooperated on the project.
Coordinatecoordinated / coordinatedTo organize different elements to work together effectivelyShe coordinated the wedding logistics.
Copecoped / copedTo deal successfully with a difficult situationHe coped well with the stressful workload.
Copycopied / copiedTo make a version of something identical to the originalShe copied the notes from the whiteboard.
Correctcorrected / correctedTo make something accurate by removing errorsThe teacher corrected the students’ essays.
Correspondcorresponded / correspondedTo match or communicate through lettersThe two reports do not correspond exactly.
Costcost / costTo require payment of a certain amountThe tickets cost fifty dollars each.
Coughcoughed / coughedTo force air from the lungs with a sudden noiseHe coughed loudly during the meeting.
Countcounted / countedTo determine the total number of somethingShe counted the coins in the jar.
Covercovered / coveredTo place something over another to protect or hide itShe covered the sleeping baby with a blanket.
Crackcracked / crackedTo break something without it falling completely apartThe vase cracked when it fell.
Crashcrashed / crashedTo collide violently or fail suddenlyThe car crashed into a tree.
Crawlcrawled / crawledTo move slowly on hands and kneesThe baby crawled across the living room floor.
Createcreated / createdTo bring something new into existenceThe artist created a mural for the school.
Creepcrept / creptTo move slowly and quietly to avoid detectionHe crept down the hallway so no one would wake.
Criticizecriticized / criticizedTo point out faults or express disapprovalCritics criticized the film’s slow pacing.
Crosscrossed / crossedTo go from one side of something to the otherThey crossed the street at the light.
Crushcrushed / crushedTo press something forcefully so it breaks or is deformedHe crushed the empty can with his foot.
Crycried / criedTo shed tears, usually from strong emotionThe toddler cried after dropping his ice cream.

Descriptions

Calculate
Calculate means to figure out an amount, value, or result using mathematics or careful reasoning, often before making a decision.
Call
Call is one of the most common verbs in English, covering everything from raising your voice to reaching someone by telephone.
Camp
Camping means sleeping and living temporarily outdoors, usually in a tent, as a recreational or survival activity.
Cancel
To cancel is to call off an event, order, or arrangement that was previously scheduled.
Capture
Capture means to seize, catch, or record something, whether it’s a person, an image, or an idea.
Care
To care is to feel interest, concern, or affection, or to look after someone’s wellbeing.
Carry
Carry describes moving something by supporting its weight, whether physically in your hands or figuratively, like carrying responsibility.
Carve
Carving is the act of shaping wood, stone, or food by cutting away material with a sharp tool.
Cash
To cash something means converting a check, bond, or similar document into actual money.
Catch
Catch means to intercept and grasp something in motion, and it also extends to catching illnesses, trains, or attention.
Cause
To cause is to be the reason something occurs, directly producing an effect or result.
Celebrate
Celebrating means honoring an achievement, holiday, or milestone through festivities, gratitude, or joyful activities.
Change
Change refers to making something different or becoming different yourself, whether gradually or suddenly.
Charge
Charge covers several meanings, including billing money, rushing at something aggressively, or filling a battery with power.
Charm
To charm is to delight or influence someone through pleasant, attractive, or persuasive behavior.
Chase
Chase means pursuing someone or something quickly, often to catch it, though it’s also used for pursuing goals.
Chat
Chatting is casual, friendly conversation, whether spoken face-to-face or typed online.
Cheat
Cheat means behaving unfairly or dishonestly, typically to win, gain profit, or avoid a rule.
Check
Check means inspecting or verifying something to confirm accuracy, safety, or completeness.
Cheer
Cheering is expressing enthusiasm or support loudly, often at sporting events or celebrations.
Chew
Chewing breaks food down with the teeth before swallowing, and the word also applies to gnawing on objects.
Choose
Choose means deciding on one thing from a set of possibilities after considering the alternatives.
Chop
Chopping is cutting something, often food or wood, into smaller pieces using quick, forceful strokes.
Claim
Claim means asserting something as fact or formally requesting something you believe you’re entitled to.
Clap
Clapping means hitting your palms together, usually to show appreciation or keep rhythm with music.
Clarify
To clarify is to remove confusion by explaining something more precisely.
Classify
Classify means sorting items into categories according to type, quality, or other shared features.
Clean
Clean means removing dirt, dust, or mess to make something tidy and hygienic.
Clear
Clear means removing things that are in the way, or making something easier to see or understand.
Climb
Climbing is the act of ascending something, like a mountain, ladder, or tree, often using both hands and feet.
Cling
Cling means gripping something tightly, whether physically or emotionally, and refusing to let go.
Clip
Clip can mean trimming something with scissors or attaching two things together using a fastener.
Close
Close means shutting something so it’s no longer open, or ending an event, deal, or period of time.
Coach
Coaching means guiding and training someone to improve their skills, often in sports or professional development.
Collaborate
Collaborate means working together with one or more people toward a shared goal or project.
Collect
Collect means bringing items or people together in one place, often as an ongoing hobby or systematic gathering.
Combine
Combine means merging separate things into a single whole, whether ingredients, ideas, or resources.
Come
Come describes movement toward the speaker or a specified place, and it’s one of the most frequently used verbs in English.
Comfort
Comfort means offering emotional support or physical ease to someone who is suffering or upset.
Command
Command means giving formal orders or having control and authority over people or a situation.
Comment
Comment means sharing a remark, opinion, or observation about something, often in response to it.
Commit
Commit means dedicating yourself fully to something, or in another sense, carrying out an act such as a crime.
Communicate
Communicate means exchanging information, thoughts, or feelings through speech, writing, or other signals.
Compare
Compare means looking at two or more things together to identify how they are alike or different.
Compete
Compete means striving against others to win or achieve something, often in sports, business, or exams.
Compile
Compile means collecting pieces of information or material and organizing them into one unified source.
Complain
Complain means voicing displeasure or dissatisfaction, typically about a problem or unfair treatment.
Complete
Complete means finishing a task or process so that nothing remains to be done.
Compose
Compose means creating something, often music, poetry, or text, by carefully arranging its parts.
Compute
Compute means calculating or working out a value, typically using mathematics or a machine.
Conceal
Conceal means deliberately keeping something hidden or secret from others.
Concentrate
Concentrate means directing all of your attention and effort toward a single task or thought.
Conceive
Conceive means forming an idea or plan in your mind, or in a biological sense, becoming pregnant.
Concern
Concern means affecting or relating to someone, or causing them to feel worried about something.
Conclude
Conclude means finishing something, or arriving at a judgment or decision after considering the facts.
Condemn
Condemn means strongly criticizing or disapproving of something, often on moral or legal grounds.
Conduct
Conduct means organizing and carrying out an activity, such as research, or directing a musical performance.
Confess
Confess means openly admitting something, especially a fault, crime, or hidden feeling.
Confide
Confide means telling someone a private matter because you trust them to keep it secret.
Confirm
Confirm means verifying or officially establishing that something is true, correct, or definitely happening.
Confront
Confront means facing a problem or person directly, often to challenge or resolve an issue.
Confuse
Confuse means making something unclear, or mixing up one thing with another.
Connect
Connect means linking things together, whether physically, digitally, or through a relationship.
Conquer
Conquer means overcoming or gaining control of something, whether an army defeating a nation or a person overcoming a fear.
Consider
Consider means thinking carefully about something before forming an opinion or making a decision.
Console
Console means offering comfort or sympathy to someone experiencing sadness or disappointment.
Construct
Construct means building or assembling something, whether a physical structure, an argument, or a plan.
Consult
Consult means seeking guidance or information from an expert or reference before making a decision.
Consume
Consume means using up a resource, or eating and drinking food and beverages.
Contact
Contact means communicating with someone, typically by phone, email, or in person.
Contain
Contain means holding something within limits, whether physically inside a container or keeping a situation under control.
Continue
Continue means carrying on with an action or process without interruption.
Contract
Contract has two common senses: shrinking in size, and entering into a legally binding agreement.
Contradict
Contradict means asserting something that is directly opposed to, or inconsistent with, another statement.
Contribute
Contribute means giving a share of resources, effort, or ideas toward a collective goal.
Control
Control means having the power to direct, manage, or restrain something or someone.
Convert
Convert means changing something from one form, use, or state into another.
Convince
Convince means causing someone to believe something or agree to do something through persuasion.
Cook
Cook means preparing food by applying heat, such as baking, boiling, or frying.
Cool
Cool means lowering the temperature of something, or in a figurative sense, calming down.
Cooperate
Cooperate means working jointly with others, often by assisting and being agreeable rather than competing.
Coordinate
Coordinate means organizing people or activities so they function together smoothly and efficiently.
Cope
Cope means managing to deal with a problem or hardship despite the difficulty it presents.
Copy
Copy means reproducing something, whether text, behavior, or a physical item, so it matches the original.
Correct
Correct means fixing mistakes to make something accurate, appropriate, or true.
Correspond
Correspond means matching or being consistent with something else, or exchanging letters with someone.
Cost
Cost means requiring a certain price to be paid, or more broadly, involving some kind of loss or sacrifice.
Cough
Cough is the reflex of expelling air from the lungs abruptly, often due to irritation or illness.
Count
Count means calculating the total number of items, or reciting numbers in order.
Cover
Cover means placing something over an object or area for protection, concealment, or completeness, such as covering a topic.
Crack
Crack means breaking something partially, so a line or split forms without the object shattering entirely.
Crash
Crash means colliding forcefully, or in technology, failing suddenly and unexpectedly, such as a computer crashing.
Crawl
Crawl means moving slowly along the ground using hands and knees, or moving at a very slow pace generally.
Create
Create means bringing something new into existence through imagination, skill, or effort.
Creep
Creep means moving cautiously and quietly, often to avoid being noticed.
Criticize
Criticize means expressing disapproval of someone or something by pointing out perceived faults.
Cross
Cross means moving from one side of a space, such as a road or river, to the other.
Crush
Crush means squeezing or pressing something forcefully enough to break, flatten, or deform it.
Cry
Cry means shedding tears due to sadness, pain, or overwhelming emotion, and can also mean shouting loudly.
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