Foundational/Elementary words that begin with C

Foundational/Elementary words that begin with C

Foundational words starting with the letter “C” are crucial in building early vocabulary and language skills. These words often represent common objects, actions, and concepts that are encountered in everyday life. Mastery of these words helps young learners develop their ability to communicate clearly and understand their surroundings better.

List of Elementary words that begin with C

Foundational/Elementary words that begin with C with meaning and example

Cat
Meaning: A small domesticated carnivorous mammal.
Example: The cat slept peacefully on the windowsill.

Car
Meaning: A road vehicle, typically with four wheels, powered by an internal combustion engine.
Example: She drove her car to work every day.

Cow
Meaning: A fully grown female animal of a species raised for its milk or meat.
Example: The cow grazed peacefully in the field.

Cup
Meaning: A small, typically cylindrical container used for drinking.
Example: He filled his cup with hot coffee.

Cap
Meaning: A soft, flat hat without a brim, typically worn by people.
Example: She wore a baseball cap to protect her eyes from the sun.

Cake
Meaning: A sweet baked food made from flour, sugar, and other ingredients.
Example: The chocolate cake was decorated with colorful sprinkles.

Chair
Meaning: A piece of furniture for sitting, typically with a back and four legs.
Example: He sat in the comfortable armchair by the fireplace.

Clock
Meaning: A device used to measure and indicate time.
Example: The clock on the wall struck twelve noon.

Cheese
Meaning: A food made from the pressed curds of milk.
Example: She added grated cheese to the pasta.

Chalk
Meaning: A soft, white limestone used for writing on blackboards.
Example: The teacher wrote the lesson on the chalkboard with chalk.

Cart
Meaning: A vehicle with two or four wheels used for carrying goods.
Example: They used a cart to transport the groceries from the store.

City
Meaning: A large town or urban area with its own government.
Example: New York City is known for its skyscrapers and busy streets.

Coin
Meaning: A small, flat, round piece of metal used as money.
Example: He found a coin on the sidewalk.

Corn
Meaning: A cereal plant that yields large grains, or the grain itself.
Example: We had corn on the cob for dinner.

Crayon
Meaning: A colored wax pencil used for drawing.
Example: She drew a picture with her favorite crayons.

Camera
Meaning: A device used to capture photographs or video.
Example: He took a beautiful photo with his camera.

Candy
Meaning: A sweet treat made from sugar and flavorings.
Example: The children were excited to receive candy on Halloween.

Card
Meaning: A piece of thick paper or thin cardboard used for various purposes.
Example: She sent a birthday card to her friend.

Couch
Meaning: A long, comfortable seat for sitting or lying down.
Example: They relaxed on the couch after a long day.

Cave
Meaning: A natural underground chamber or passage.
Example: The explorers found a hidden cave in the mountains.

Coat
Meaning: An outer garment worn outdoors.
Example: He wore a warm coat to protect himself from the cold.

Cook
Meaning: To prepare food by heating it.
Example: She loves to cook delicious meals for her family.

Crown
Meaning: A decorative headpiece worn by royalty.
Example: The queen wore a sparkling crown during the ceremony.

Cupboard
Meaning: A cabinet or closet used for storing dishes or food.
Example: The plates are kept in the kitchen cupboard.

Candle
Meaning: A cylindrical piece of wax with a wick used for lighting.
Example: They lit a candle during the power outage.

Comb
Meaning: A tool used to arrange and tidy hair.
Example: She used a comb to style her hair.

Cookie
Meaning: A sweet baked treat, often with chocolate chips or nuts.
Example: The bakery sells fresh chocolate chip cookies.

Castle
Meaning: A large fortified building or group of buildings.
Example: The children played in the castle made of sand.

Cloud
Meaning: A visible mass of condensed water vapor in the sky.
Example: The sky was filled with fluffy white clouds.

Coffee
Meaning: A drink made from roasted coffee beans.
Example: He enjoyed a cup of coffee with his breakfast.

Curtain
Meaning: A piece of fabric used to cover a window or stage.
Example: She drew the curtain to let in some light.

Circus
Meaning: A traveling show featuring acrobats, animals, and clowns.
Example: The circus came to town with exciting performances.

Cherry
Meaning: A small, round fruit with a pit and a red or black skin.
Example: She enjoyed a slice of cherry pie for dessert.

Cushion
Meaning: A soft pad used for support or comfort.
Example: The sofa had colorful cushions for added comfort.

Chick
Meaning: A baby bird, especially a baby chicken.
Example: The farmer showed the children a fluffy chick.

Clown
Meaning: A performer with colorful costumes and makeup who entertains with humor.
Example: The clown made balloon animals for the kids at the party.

Crab
Meaning: A crustacean with pincers and a hard shell.
Example: They caught a crab while fishing on the beach.

Creek
Meaning: A small stream or a shallow, narrow waterway.
Example: The kids waded through the creek to cool off.

Cotton
Meaning: A soft fiber obtained from the cotton plant used for making fabric.
Example: The shirt was made of soft cotton.

Cabbage
Meaning: A leafy green vegetable used in salads and cooking.
Example: She made a delicious cabbage salad for lunch.

Color
Meaning: The characteristic of visual perception described by terms such as red, blue, or green.
Example: The artist used vibrant colors in his painting.

Canal
Meaning: An artificial waterway used for navigation or irrigation.
Example: They sailed their boat along the scenic canal.

Cactus
Meaning: A plant with thick, fleshy stems and often spines.
Example: The cactus in the garden had beautiful, colorful flowers.

Cape
Meaning: A sleeveless garment that hangs from the shoulders.
Example: The superhero wore a red cape.

Carton
Meaning: A box made of cardboard or similar material.
Example: They packed the dishes into a large carton.

Carpet
Meaning: A floor covering made from woven fabric.
Example: The living room had a soft, plush carpet.

Carrot
Meaning: An orange root vegetable.
Example: She added chopped carrots to the soup.

Cage
Meaning: A structure of bars or wires used to confine animals.
Example: The parrot lived in a large cage.

Cottage
Meaning: A small house, usually in the countryside.
Example: They stayed in a cozy cottage for their vacation.

Coconut
Meaning: A large, hard-shelled fruit with a white interior.
Example: She used coconut milk in the curry.

Cord
Meaning: A long, thin, flexible material used for tying or connecting.
Example: The lamp was plugged into the wall with a cord.

Cone
Meaning: A three-dimensional geometric shape with a pointed end.
Example: She enjoyed an ice cream cone on a hot day.

Calculator
Meaning: A device used for performing mathematical calculations.
Example: He used a calculator to check his math homework.

Cab
Meaning: A taxi or the driver’s compartment in a truck.
Example: They took a cab to the airport.

Camp
Meaning: A place where people stay temporarily, usually outdoors.
Example: They set up a tent at the campsite for their camping trip.

Canary
Meaning: A small, yellow songbird known for its singing.
Example: The canary sang beautifully in its cage.

Camel
Meaning: A large, domesticated animal with a hump, known for desert travel.
Example: The camel carried supplies across the desert.

Cliff
Meaning: A steep face of rock and earth.
Example: They enjoyed the breathtaking view from the edge of the cliff.

Cable
Meaning: A thick rope or wire used for various purposes.
Example: The cable connected the TV to the satellite dish.

Clay
Meaning: A natural, sticky soil used for making pottery and other items.
Example: She sculpted a vase out of clay.

Calendar
Meaning: A system for organizing days for social, religious, or business purposes.
Example: She marked the date on her calendar.

Cornflakes
Meaning: A breakfast cereal made from toasted corn.
Example: He had cornflakes with milk for breakfast.

Chisel
Meaning: A tool with a sharp edge used for carving wood or stone.
Example: The sculptor used a chisel to shape the marble.

Can
Meaning: A metal container used for storing food or drinks.
Example: They opened a can of beans for dinner.

Clover
Meaning: A plant with trifoliate leaves, often associated with good luck.
Example: He found a four-leaf clover in the yard.

Cartwheel
Meaning: A sideways rotation of the body, usually performed by gymnasts.
Example: She performed a perfect cartwheel on the grass.

Cereal
Meaning: A grain used for food, especially for breakfast.
Example: He poured cereal into a bowl and added milk.

Circle
Meaning: A round shape where every point is equidistant from the center.
Example: The children sat in a circle for the game.

Compass
Meaning: A tool used for navigation and drawing circles.
Example: He used a compass to draw a perfect circle on the paper.

Crate
Meaning: A large container used for transporting goods.
Example: The books were packed in sturdy wooden crates.

Chalkboard
Meaning: A board used in classrooms for writing with chalk.
Example: The teacher wrote the day’s agenda on the chalkboard.

Crayfish
Meaning: A small, freshwater crustacean similar to a lobster.
Example: They caught crayfish in the stream.

Clam
Meaning: A shellfish with a two-part shell.
Example: They enjoyed eating steamed clams for dinner.

Crocodile
Meaning: A large reptile with a long body and a powerful bite.
Example: The crocodile rested on the riverbank.

Crescent
Meaning: A shape resembling a segment of a circle.
Example: The moon was in a crescent phase.

Cylinder
Meaning: A three-dimensional shape with two parallel circular bases.
Example: The can of soda is a cylinder.

Cornfield
Meaning: A field where corn is grown.
Example: They walked through the cornfield during the harvest.

Canoe
Meaning: A narrow, lightweight boat pointed at both ends.
Example: They paddled their canoe down the river.

Cub
Meaning: A young animal, such as a lion or bear.
Example: The lion cub played with its siblings.

Chipmunk
Meaning: A small rodent with stripes on its back.
Example: The chipmunk gathered nuts for winter.

Crabapple
Meaning: A small, sour apple from a crabapple tree.
Example: They made jelly from the crabapples.

Cube
Meaning: A three-dimensional shape with six equal square faces.
Example: The children played with a cube-shaped toy.

Chicken
Meaning: A domesticated bird raised for its meat and eggs.
Example: She cooked a roasted chicken for dinner.

Clutch
Meaning: A mechanism used to engage or disengage power in a vehicle.
Example: He pressed the clutch to change gears in the car.

Cabin
Meaning: A small, simple house, often in the woods.
Example: They stayed in a rustic cabin during their vacation.

Cupcake
Meaning: A small cake baked in a cup-shaped container.
Example: The birthday party featured colorful cupcakes.

Cornbread
Meaning: A type of bread made from cornmeal.
Example: She served cornbread with the chili.

Chimney
Meaning: A vertical structure through which smoke exits a building.
Example: The chimney had a cozy fire going inside.

Crib
Meaning: A small bed with high sides for a baby.
Example: The baby slept soundly in her crib.

Classroom
Meaning: A room where students are taught.
Example: The classroom was decorated with colorful posters.

Coral
Meaning: Marine invertebrates that form reefs in warm seas.
Example: They went snorkeling to see the vibrant coral.

Call
Meaning: To speak to someone by phone or name.
Example: She made a call to confirm the reservation.

Cousin
Meaning: A child of one’s uncle or aunt.
Example: Her cousin visited during the summer break.

Coast
Meaning: The land along the edge of a sea or ocean.
Example: They enjoyed a walk along the coast.

Cricket
Meaning: A sport played with a bat and ball on a field.
Example: The cricket match was exciting to watch.

Catch
Meaning: To grab or seize something that is moving.
Example: He tried to catch the ball during the game.

Camper
Meaning: A person who goes camping or a vehicle used for camping.
Example: They used their camper to travel across the country.

Club
Meaning: A group of people with a common interest or a stick used in sports.
Example: She joined the book club to meet new friends.

Chin
Meaning: The lower part of the face below the mouth.
Example: He rested his chin on his hand while thinking.

Cell
Meaning: A small room or a basic unit of life in biology.
Example: The prisoner was kept in a small cell.
Example: Each cell in the body has a specific function.

Chain
Meaning: A series of linked metal rings used for various purposes.
Example: The bike was secured with a heavy chain.

Cradle
Meaning: A small bed for a baby, often with rocking motion.
Example: The baby slept soundly in the cradle.

Foundational/Elementary words that begin with C