| Term | Definition |
| constrict | to shrink, tighten |
| contemn | to despise |
| contiguous | touching, adjacent |
| contumely | rudeness |
| conundrum | riddle |
| convivial | sociable; jovial |
| convoke | to call together |
| convolution | coiled state |
| copious | abundant |
| corollary | inference; result |
| corona | crown; luminous circle |
| corporeal | pertaining to body |
| corroborate | to support with evidence; confirm |
| covenant | a formal binding agreement |
| covert | hidden; secret |
| cower | to shrink or crouch in fear |
| cozen | cheat, defraud or trick |
| crag | a steep rugged cliff or rock |
| credible | trustworthy, believable |
| crony | a close friend; esp of long standing |
| crux | a crucial point |
| cudgel | a short heavy club |
| culpable | deserving blame |
| curry | to seek favor by flattery |
| cursory | rapidly and often superficially done |
| dank | disagreeably wet or moist; damp |
| daunt | intimidate, overwhelm, discourage |
| dearth | scarcity; famine |
| debase | to lower in rank |
| debauch | seduce, corrupt |
| debility | a weakness |
| decadence | decay |
| decant | to pour |
| declivity | a steep downward slope |
| decorous | proper; seemly correct |
| decrepit | broken down with age; worn-out |
| deference | courteous; respectful |
| definitive | decisive; conclusive |
| deleterious | harmful, noxious |
| delineate | describe |
| demeanor | behavior |
| demure | quietly modest; shy |
| deplore | to regret strongly |
| deposition | removal (as from office) |
| depraved | sinful, corrupt |
| deprecate | to express disapproval |
| depreciate | to lesson in price or value |
| derision | ridicule |
| contingent | possible |
| credulous | gullible; ready to believe |