Collins Junior Illustrated Dictionary

NOUN 2 The conclusion of something is its ending.

concrete NOUN

Concrete is a building material made of cement, sand and water, which goes hard when it is set.

condition conditions

NOUN 1 The condition of something is the state it is in.

NOUN 2 A condition is a rule you must agree to before you are allowed to do something. You can go out on one condition – you must be home by five.

conductor conductors NOUN

A conductor is someone who controls the way musicians play together.

cone cones NOUN

A cone is a solid curved shape with a flat circular base and a pointed top.

See Solid shapes on page 266

confess confesses, confessing, confessed VERB

If you confess, you say that you have done something wrong.

confident

ADJECTIVE 1 If you are confident about something, you are sure about it.

ADJECTIVE 2 People who are confident know that they can do something well.

confuse confuses, confusing, confused

VERB 1 To confuse someone means to make them unsure what to do. The new road layout confused everyone.

VERB 2 If you confuse two things, you mix them up by mistake. I always confuse the twins because they are so alike.

congratulate congratulates, congratulating, congratulated VERB

If you congratulate someone, you say you are pleased that something special has happened to them.

conjunction conjunctions NOUN

In grammar, a conjunction is a word that joins two other words or parts of a sentence. “And”, “but”, “while” and “although” are all conjunctions.

connect connects, connecting, connected VERB

If you connect two things, you join them together.

connective connectives NOUN

In grammar, a connective is a word or phrase that joins parts of a text. For example, “and”, “at last” and “because” are connectives.

conquer conquers, conquering, conquered VERB

To conquer people is to take control of their country by force.

conscious ADJECTIVE

If you are conscious, you are awake and know what is happening.

consecutive ADJECTIVE

If things are consecutive, they happen one after the other. October, November and December are consecutive months.

conservation NOUN

Conservation is the protection of the environment.

consider considers, considering, considered VERB

If you consider something, you think about it carefully.

consist consists, consisting, consisted VERB

Something that consists of particular things is made up of them. The book consists of an introduction, ten chapters and an index.

consonant consonants NOUN

A consonant is any letter of the alphabet except a, e, i, o and u.

See vowel

constant ADJECTIVE

Something that is constant happens all the time. My friend Elizabeth complains of a constant headache.

construct constructs, constructing, constructed VERB

If you construct something, you build it or make it.

consume consumes, consuming, consumed VERB

If you consume something, you eat or drink it, or use it up.

contain contains, containing, contained VERB

The things that something contains are the things in it.

container containers NOUN

A container is something you put things in.

content ADJECTIVE

If you are content, you are happy and satisfied with your life.

contents PLURAL NOUN

The contents of something like a box or cake are the things in it. The contents page of a book tells you what is in it.

contest contests NOUN

A contest is a competition or game which you try to win.

continent continents NOUN

A continent is a very large area of land, such as Africa or Asia.

continue continues, continuing, continued VERB

If you continue to do something, you go on doing it.

continuous ADJECTIVE

Something that is continuous goes on without stopping.

contraction contractions NOUN

A contraction is a shortened form of a word or of words. For example, “I’m” is a contraction of “I am”.

contradict contradicts, contradicting, contradicted VERB

If you contradict someone, you say the opposite of what they have just said.

control controls, controlling, controlled

VERB 1 If you control something, you make it behave exactly as you want it to.

NOUN 2 The controls on a machine are knobs or other things used to work it.

convenient ADJECTIVE

If something is convenient, it is easy to use or do.

conversation conversations NOUN

If you have a conversation with someone, you talk to each other.

convince convinces, convincing, convinced VERB

If someone or something convinces you, they make you believe that something is true.

cook cooks, cooking, cooked VERB

When you cook food, you prepare it for eating by heating it.

cooker cookers NOUN

A cooker is a piece of equipment for cooking food.

cookie cookies NOUN

A cookie is another word for a biscuit.

cool cooler, coolest ADJECTIVE

If something is cool, its temperature is low but it is not cold.

coordinates NOUN

Coordinates are two numbers or letters which help you find the exact position of something. They are often used on maps, graphs and charts.

cope copes, coping, coped VERB

If you cope with a task or problem, you deal with it successfully.

copper NOUN

Copper is a reddish-brown metal.

copy copies, copying, copied

NOUN 1 A copy is something made to look exactly like something else.

VERB 2 If you copy something, you make a copy of it.

VERB 3 If you copy what someone does, you do the same thing.

coral corals NOUN

Coral is a hard substance that forms in the sea from the skeletons of tiny animals called corals.

cord cords NOUN

Cord is thick, strong string.

core cores NOUN

The core of a fruit is the hard part in the middle that contains seeds.

cork corks

NOUN 1 Cork is the light bark of the cork oak tree.

NOUN 2 A cork is a piece of cork used to block the open end of a bottle.

corn NOUN

Corn is a cereal crop, such as wheat or sweet corn.

corner corners NOUN

A corner is the place where two edges or roads join.

correct corrects, correcting, corrected

ADJECTIVE 1 Something that is correct is true and has no mistakes.

VERB 2 If you correct your work, you put right any mistakes you made.

corridor corridors NOUN

A corridor is a long passage in a building or train.

cost costs, costing, cost VERB

If something costs an amount of money, you can buy it for that amount.

costume costumes NOUN

A costume is the clothes worn by an actor, or that people wear for special events.

cosy cosier, cosiest ADJECTIVE

A house or room that is cosy is comfortable and warm, and not too big.

cot cots NOUN

A cot is a bed with high sides for a baby or a young child.

cottage cottages NOUN

A cottage is a small house, usually in the country.

cotton

NOUN 1 Cotton is cloth made from the soft fibres of the cotton plant.

NOUN 2 Cotton is also a thread used for sewing.

NOUN 3 Cotton wool is soft fluffy cotton, often used for cleaning the skin.

cough coughs NOUN

A cough is a noise made by someone forcing air out of their throat.

could

VERB 1 Could is part of the verb can. You use could to say that something might happen. It could rain tomorrow.

VERB 2 You also say could when you are asking for something politely. Could you please tell me the way to the station?

council councils NOUN

The council is a group of people who look after the affairs of a town, district or county.

count counts, counting, counted

VERB 1 When you count, you say numbers in order. Count up to a hundred.

VERB 2 If you count a number of things, you are finding out how many there are.

counter counters

NOUN 1 A counter is a long narrow table in a shop, where things are sold.

NOUN 2 A counter is also a small round flat object, usually made of plastic, that is used in board games.

country countries

NOUN 1 A country is a land that has its own government and often its own language.

NOUN 2 The country is land away from towns and cities.

couple couples

NOUN 1 A couple of things or people means two of them. It should only take a couple of days.

NOUN 2 Two people are sometimes called a couple, especially if they are married or having a relationship.

coupon coupons NOUN

A coupon is a piece of printed paper that allows you to pay less than usual for something.

courage NOUN

Courage is not showing that you are afraid of something.

course courses

NOUN 1 A course is a series of lessons.

NOUN 2 A course can also be one part of a meal.

of course PHRASE You use of course to make something you are saying stronger. Of course I still want to go.

court courts

NOUN 1 A court is an area marked out for a game like tennis or badminton.

NOUN 2 A court is also a place where things to do with the law are decided.

NOUN 3 The court of a king or queen is where they live with their family.

courtyard courtyards NOUN

A courtyard is an open flat area of ground with walls all round it.

cousin cousins NOUN

Your cousin is a child of your uncle or aunt.

cover covers, covering, covered

VERB 1 If you cover something, you put something over it to protect or hide it.

NOUN 2 The covers on a bed are the blankets or duvet that you have over you to keep you warm.

NOUN 3 The cover of a book or magazine is the outside of it.

cow cows NOUN

A cow is a large farm animal that gives milk.

coward cowards NOUN

A coward is someone who avoids anything dangerous, painful or difficult.

cowboy cowboys NOUN

A cowboy is a man whose job is to look after cattle.

crab crabs NOUN

A crab is a sea animal. It has four pairs of legs, two pincers, and a flat round body covered by a shell.

crack cracks, cracking, cracked

VERB 1 If you crack something, or it cracks, it has a small split in it but does not quite break.

NOUN 2 A crack is the line on something that shows it is nearly broken.

NOUN 3 A crack is also a sudden loud noise.

cracker crackers

NOUN 1 A cracker is a thin crisp biscuit, often slightly salty.

NOUN 2 A cracker can be a cardboard tube covered in coloured paper, that people have at parties. It makes a sharp sound when you pull the ends apart.

cradle cradles NOUN

A cradle is a small box-shaped bed for a baby.

crane cranes

NOUN 1 A crane is a machine that moves heavy things by lifting them.

NOUN 2 A crane is also a large water bird with long legs and a long neck.

crash crashes, crashing, crashed

NOUN 1 A crash is a traffic accident.

NOUN 2 A crash is also a sudden loud noise like something breaking.

VERB 3 If something crashes, it hits something else and makes a loud noise.

crate crates NOUN

A crate is a large box used for transporting or storing things.

crawl crawls, crawling, crawled VERB

When you crawl, you move forward on your hands and knees.

crayon crayons NOUN

A crayon is a coloured pencil.

craze crazes NOUN

A craze is something that is very popular for a short time.

crazy crazier, craziest

ADJECTIVE 1 Someone or something crazy is very strange or foolish.

ADJECTIVE 2 If you are crazy about something, you are very keen on it.

creak creaks, creaking, creaked VERB

If something creaks, it makes an odd squeaking sound.

cream

ADJECTIVE 1 Something that is cream in colour is yellowish-white.

NOUN 2 Cream is the pale yellow liquid taken from the top of milk.

crease creases, creasing, creased

NOUN 1 A crease is a line made by folding or wrinkling something.

VERB 2 If you crease something, you make lines appear on it.

create creates, creating, created VERB

To create something means to cause it to happen, or exist.

creature creatures NOUN

A creature is any animal, such as a bird, fish or insect.

credit card credit cards NOUN

A credit card is a plastic card that allows someone to buy goods and pay for them later.

creep creeps, creeping, crept VERB

If you creep somewhere, you move quietly and slowly.

crescent crescents NOUN

A crescent is a curved shape that is wider in the middle than at the ends, like a new moon.

crew crews NOUN

A crew is the people who work on a ship, aircraft or spaceship.

cricket crickets

NOUN 1 Cricket is an outdoor game between two teams of eleven players.

NOUN 2 A cricket is a small jumping insect that makes a chirping sound by rubbing its wings together.

cried VERB

Cried is the past tense of cry.

cries VERB

Cries is a present tense form of cry.

crime crimes NOUN

A crime is something which is against the law.

criminal criminals NOUN

A criminal is someone who has done something that is against the law.

crimson ADJECTIVE

Something that is crimson is a dark red colour.

crinkle crinkles, crinkling, crinkled VERB

When something crinkles, it becomes slightly creased.

crisp crisper, crispest; crisps

ADJECTIVE 1 Things like fruit and biscuits that are crisp are fresh and firm.

NOUN 2 A crisp is a crunchy, thinly sliced piece of fried potato.

See Other foods on page 261

criticize criticizes, criticizing, criticized; also spelt criticise VERB

If you criticize someone, you say what you think is wrong with them.

crocodile crocodiles NOUN

A crocodile is a large reptile, about five metres long.

See Reptiles on page 264

crooked ADJECTIVE

Something that is crooked is bent or twisted.

crop crops NOUN

A crop is plants grown for food.

cross crosser, crossest; crosses, crossing, crossed

ADJECTIVE 1 Someone who is cross is angry about something.

NOUN 2 A cross is a mark like + or ×.

VERB 3 If you cross something like a road, you go from one side to the other.

crossing crossings NOUN

A crossing is a place where you can cross the road safely.

crouch crouches, crouching, crouched VERB

If you crouch down, you bend your legs under you so that you are close to the ground.

crow crows NOUN

A crow is a large black bird.

crowd crowds NOUN

A crowd is a large number of people together in one place.

crowded ADJECTIVE

A place that is crowded is full of people.

crown crowns NOUN

A crown is an ornament that kings and queens sometimes wear on their heads.

cruel crueller, cruellest ADJECTIVE

Someone who is cruel hurts people or animals without caring.

cruise cruises NOUN

A cruise is a holiday on a ship that travels to different places.

crumb crumbs NOUN

A crumb is a very small piece of dry food such as bread or biscuit.

crumble crumbles, crumbling, crumbled VERB

If you crumble something that is soft, it breaks into lots of little pieces.

crunch crunches, crunching, crunched VERB

If you crunch something, you crush it noisily, for example between your teeth or under your feet.

crush crushes, crushing, crushed VERB

To crush something is to destroy its shape by squeezing it.

crust crusts NOUN

The crust is a hard layer on the outside of something such as bread.

cry cries, crying, cried

VERB 1 When you cry, tears come from your eyes.

NOUN 2 A cry is a sudden sound that you make when you are surprised or hurt.

crystal crystals NOUN

A crystal is a mineral that has formed into a regular shape.

cub cubs NOUN

A cub is a young wild animal such as a lion, fox or bear.

See Young animals on page 265

cube cubes NOUN

A cube is a solid shape with six square faces all the same size.

See Solid shapes on page 266

cuckoo cuckoos NOUN

A cuckoo is a grey bird. Cuckoos lay their eggs in other birds’ nests.

cucumber cucumbers NOUN

A cucumber is a long, thin, dark green vegetable, eaten raw.

See Vegetables on page 260

cuddle cuddles, cuddling, cuddled VERB

When you cuddle someone, you put your arms round them.

culprit culprits NOUN

A culprit is someone who has done something harmful or wrong.

cunning ADJECTIVE

Someone who is cunning plans to get what they want, often by tricking other people.

cup cups

NOUN 1 A cup is a small container with a handle, which you drink out of.

NOUN 2 A cup is also a prize for the winner of a game or competition.

cupboard cupboards NOUN

A cupboard is a piece of furniture with doors and shelves.

cure cures, curing, cured

NOUN 1 A cure is something that makes people better when they have been ill.

VERB 2 If someone or something cures a person, they make them well again.

curiosity NOUN

Curiosity is wanting to know about things.

curious

ADJECTIVE 1 Someone who is curious wants to know more about something.

ADJECTIVE 2 Something that is curious is unusual and hard to explain.

curl curls, curling, curled

VERB 1 If an animal curls up, it makes itself into a rounded shape.

NOUN 2 Curls are pieces of hair shaped in curves and circles.

curly ADJECTIVE

currant currants NOUN

Currants are small dried grapes.

current currents

NOUN 1 A current is a steady movement of water or air.

NOUN 2 A current is also the movement of electricity through a wire.

curriculum curriculums or curricula NOUN

A curriculum is the different courses taught at a school or college.

curry curries NOUN

Curry is an Indian dish made with spices.

cursor cursors NOUN

A cursor is a small sign on a computer screen that shows where the next letter or number will appear.

curtain curtains NOUN

A curtain is a large piece of material that you pull across a window to cover it.

curve curves NOUN

A curve is a smooth, gradually bending line.

curved ADJECTIVE

cushion cushions NOUN

A cushion is a soft object put on a seat to make it more comfortable.

custom customs NOUN

A custom is something that people usually do. It’s his custom to take the dog for a walk after supper.

customer customers NOUN

A customer is a person who buys something, especially from a shop.

cut cuts, cutting, cut

VERB 1 If you cut yourself, you hurt yourself by accident on something sharp.

VERB 2 If you cut something, you use a knife or scissors to remove parts of it.

cutlery NOUN

Cutlery is the knives, forks and spoons that you eat your food with.

cycle cycles, cycling, cycled

NOUN 1 A cycle is a bicycle.

VERB 2 If you cycle, you ride a bicycle.

cyclist NOUN

cylinder cylinders NOUN

A cylinder is a three-dimensional shape like a tube with flat circular ends.

cylindrical ADJECTIVE

See Solid shapes on page 266

Dd

dad dads NOUN

Your dad is your father.

daddy daddies NOUN

INFORMAL Your daddy is your father.

daffodil daffodils NOUN

A daffodil is a yellow trumpet-shaped flower that blooms in the spring.

dagger daggers NOUN

A dagger is a weapon like a knife.

daily ADJECTIVE

Something that is daily happens every day.

dairy dairies NOUN

A dairy is a shop or company that sells milk and food made from milk, such as butter and cheese.

daisy daisies NOUN

A daisy is a small wild flower with white petals and a yellow centre.

dam dams NOUN

A dam is a wall built across a river or stream to hold back water.

damage damages, damaging, damaged VERB

To damage something means to harm or spoil it.

damp damper, dampest ADJECTIVE

Something that is damp is slightly wet.

dance dances, dancing, danced VERB

When you dance, you move your body in time to music.

dandelion dandelions NOUN

A dandelion is a wild plant with bright yellow flowers.

danger dangers NOUN

A danger is something that could harm you.

dangerous ADJECTIVE

If something is dangerous, it is likely to harm you.

dare dares, daring, dared VERB

If you dare to do something, you are brave enough to do it.

dark darker, darkest ADJECTIVE

When it is dark, there is not enough light to see properly.

darkness NOUN

dart darts, darting, darted

VERB 1 If a person or animal darts, they move suddenly and quickly.

NOUN 2 A dart is a short arrow that you throw in the game of darts.

dash dashes, dashing, dashed