This page gathers the 5,691 dictionary entries of which at least one sense is labelled “Figuratively” by Wiktionary. The definition shown is that sense; each word leads to its full entry. Page 9 of 57: from “cat's-paw” to “chordless”.
- cat's-paw noun Someone who acts in another's interest, (properly) unknowingly or through trickery.
- cat-footed adj Soft-footed like a cat; quiet or stealthy while walking.
- catalogue noun A series of unwelcome or unpleasant things, often similar.
- catalyst noun Something that encourages progress or change.
- catapult noun An instance of firing something, as if from a catapult.
- cataract verb To cause (something) to pour or rush like a waterfall.
- catatonic adj Motionless and unresponsive, as from shock; withdrawn.
- catbath noun A quick wash by wiping or dabbing the skin, especially of one's face.
- catch verb To marry or enter into a similar relationship with.
- catch a case verb To be overcome by or enthused about anything; used with of.
- catch a Tartar verb To discover someone who cannot be controlled or disposed of more generally.
- catch fire verb To become very popular or widespread; to take off.
- catch step verb To change so as to function harmoniously with; fit in.
- catchy adj Tending to catch or ensnare; entangling.
- cater verb To provide anything required or desired, often (derogatory) to pander.
- cater-cousin noun A thing which is closely associated with or related to another thing.
- cathedral noun A large, impressive, lofty, and/or important building or place of some other kind.
- catnip noun Something that causes excitement or interest.
- cats' concert noun Any confusing or intolerable combination of voices.
- cattle noun People who resemble domesticated bovine animals in behavior or destiny.
- cattle prod verb To goad or push someone to act.
- cauldron noun An unsettled or difficult situation or place.
- causticity noun Being caustic in speech, humour etc.
- caut verb To make a noise similar to the call of a panther.
- cavalry noun A source of rescue, especially in an emergency.
- cave verb To surrender.
- cave dweller noun One who behaves like a caveman, lacking culture and refinement.
- cave in verb To relent; to grant approval against one's initial will.
- caveman noun A person with backward, primitive behavior, opinions, or interests.
- caviar noun Something whose flavor is too fine for the vulgar taste.
- cayenne noun Spice or verve.
- celestial noun A person who is extremely beautiful, of high status, or intelligent, etc.
- celluloid noun The genre of cinema; film.
- cement verb To unite firmly or closely.
- cementer noun That which confirms or unites.
- center of gravity noun The most central or important part of something, or around which everything else revolves.
- centrifuge noun An apparatus in which humans are spun to simulate acceleration in an aircraft or spacecraft.
- cesspit noun A place or situation characterised by corruption, filth or immoral activities.
- cesspool noun A filthy place.
- cetacean adj Resembling or relating to large aquatic mammals.
- chafe verb To excite passion or anger in; to fret; to irritate.
- chaff noun Any excess or unwanted material, resource, or person; anything worthless.
- chain verb To connect as if with a chain, due to dependence, addiction, or other feelings
- chain of thought noun A connected sequence of ideas, reasoning, or mental associations that someone experiences in thinking; the logical or associative…
- chain reaction noun A series of events, each one causing or influencing the next.
- chainsaw verb To make quick and substantial spending cuts.
- chalk verb To record a score or event, as if on a chalkboard.
- chalk out verb to make (plans); to sketch (something); to describe (a plan).
- chamber noun The legislature or division of the legislature itself.
- chameleon noun A person with inconstant behavior; one able to quickly adjust to new circumstances.
- champ at the bit verb To show impatience or frustration when delayed.
- chancery adv In an awkward situation; wholly under the power of someone else.
- change tack verb To take a different approach.
- changeling noun In pre-modern European folklore: an infant of a magical creature that was secretly exchanged for a human infant. In British, Irish and…
- changing of the guard noun Any situation in which an individual or group charged with a task or responsibilities in an organization is replaced by another individual…
- chart-topping adj Very popular.
- chassé-croisé noun A role reversal.
- cheat code noun A way to accomplish something that bypasses some of the usual hard work; shortcut, lifehack, or advantage.
- checkered adj Changeable; inconsistent; having variations or uncertainty; marked by many problems or failures.
- checkerwork noun A mishmash
- checkmate noun Any losing situation with no escape; utter defeat.
- checkmated adj Suffering a personal loss with no obvious chance to escape the loss.
- checks and balances noun Somebody or something that ensures a system remains safe, honest, etc.
- cheek noun Impudence.
- cheek by jowl adv In very close or intimate association.
- cheer verb To feel or express enthusiasm for (something).
- cheerleader noun A person who rallies support for any cause.
- cheerleading noun Automatic or servile praise.
- cheese up verb To smile widely; to crack a huge grin.
- cherry picker noun A person or group that picks the best for themselves; one who cherry-picks.
- cherub noun A person, especially a child, seen as being particularly angelic or innocent.
- chesslike adj Requiring careful forethought and planning; complex.
- chest one's cards verb To be careful and reticent about sharing information about one's resources and intentions.
- chestnut noun Chiefly in old chestnut: a joke, meme, phrase, ploy, etc. which has been repeated so often as to have grown ineffective or tiresome; a…
- chew the cud verb To meditate or ponder before answering; to be deep in thought; to ruminate.
- chiaroscuro adj Possessing the qualities of a work of chiaroscuro.
- Chicago overcoat noun death; being killed or murdered.
- chicken noodle soup noun Synonym of chicken soup (“cure for a wide variety of illnesses or problems”).
- chicken soup noun A cure for a wide variety of illnesses or other problems.
- child noun A person considered a product of a place or culture, a member of a tribe or culture, regardless of age.
- childbearing adj Of a woman's hips, attractively wide.
- childing adj Fruitful; productive.
- chill verb To discourage, depress.
- chilly adj Distant and cool; unfriendly.
- chimera noun A foolish, incongruous, or vain thought or product of the imagination.
- Chinese puzzle noun A senseless situation.
- Chinese whispers noun A situation where something is changed or misunderstood as a result of passing through successive people or processes.
- chink noun A vulnerability or flaw in a protection system or in any otherwise formidable system.
- chintzy adj Tastelessly showy; cheap, gaudy, or tacky.
- chirrup noun A brief, high-pitched, insignificant statement.
- chisel verb To make small changes to (something), bit by bit, resulting in change over time.
- chocolaty adj Smooth, alluring, and deep or rich.
- choirboy noun A piously innocent person.
- choke out verb To destroy (something) by depriving it of a vital resource.
- choke up verb To block up; to cause something to be blocked.
- choked adj Blocked or obstructed by thick material, often plant growth.
- chokehold noun A powerful and restrictive control or influence over something.
- chop verb To separate or divide.
- chop shop verb To cut something apart and restructure it.
- chordless adj Without synergy or harmonious combinations; One thing at a time.