Study > 4-letter Words


The 4 letter words with definitions, separated alphabetically.

Now updated for CSW24. New words, if any, and new inflections of existing words, are shown in red.

caas(3rd.) CAA, to call.
caba(Fr.) a woman's work-basket > CABAS. Also CABAS.
cabs(3rd.) CAB, to take or drive a cab.
caca(Sl.) excrement > CACAS.
cackFaeces, rubbish; (verb) to defecate > CACKS, CACKING, CACKED.
cadeA Mediterranean medicinal shrub > CADES.
cadi(Arabic) a civil judge in a Muslim country > CADIS. [Arabic qadi, a judge]. Also KADI, QADI.
cads(Pl.) CAD, a dishonourable man.
cafeA coffee house or a small, inexpensive restaurant > CAFES.
caff(Sl.) cafe > CAFFS.
cafs(Pl.) CAF, a cafe.
cageA compartment or enclosure, usu made from bars and wires; (verb) to enclose in a cage > CAGES, CAGING, CAGED.
cags(Pl.) CAG, a cagoule.
cagyCautious, wary > CAGIER, CAGIEST; CAGILY. Also CAGEY.
caid(Arabic) a North African chief > CAIDS. Also KAID, QAID.
cain(Gaelic) a tenanted farm rent paid in kind > CAINS. Also KAIN, KANE.
cakeA breadlike composition enriched with additions such as sugar, eggs, spices, currants, peel, etc.; (verb) to take on the consistency of cake > CAKES, CAKING, CAKED.
cakyWith the consistency of cake > CAKIER, CAKIEST. Also CAKEY.
calf1. a young cow > CALVES. 2. the skin of a calf, calfskin > CALFS.
calkA pointed piece on a horseshoe to prevent slipping; (verb) to provide with a calk > CALKS, CALKING, CALKED. Also CALKIN, CALKER, CAULKER, CAWKER.
callTo summon > CALLS, CALLING, CALLED.
calmNot disturbed > CALMER, CALMEST; CALMLY; (verb) to make calm > CALMS, CALMING, CALMED.
calo(Ital.) (abbrev. of) CALANDO, slowing with gradually lowering volume; (noun) a Spanish argot used by chicano youths > CALOS.
calpIn Ireland, a dark shaly limestone > CALPS.
cals(Pl.) CAL. calorie.
calx(Lat.) the substance of a metal or mineral that remains after strong heating > CALCES or CALXES. [L. calx, lime].
camaThe hybrid offspring of a camel and a llama > CAMAS.
came(Noun) a lead rod for framing a pane in a leaded or stained glass window > CAMES.
cami(Short for) camisole > CAMIS.
camoCamouflage > CAMOS.
campEffeminately homosexual > CAMPER, CAMPEST; CAMPLY; (verb) to live in a tent > CAMPS, CAMPING, CAMPED.
cams(3rd.) CAM, to whiten with camstone.
caneTo beat with a rod > CANES, CANING, CANED.
cang(Port.) a wooden collar used to punish criminals in China > CANGS. Also CANGUE.
cannTo direct the steering of > CANNS, CANNING, CANNED. Also CON, CONN.
cans(3rd.) CAN, to store in a can.
cant(Adj.) affectedly moral or religious > CANTER, CANTEST; (verb) to tilt, slope > CANTS, CANTING, CANTED.
canyLike cane, abounding in cane > CANIER, CANIEST.
capa(Spanish) a Spanish cloak > CAPAS.
cape(Verb, naut.) to keep a course towards a cape > CAPES, CAPING, CAPED.
caph(Hebrew) a Hebrew letter > CAPHS. Also KAPH, KHAPH, KHAF, KAF.
capi(Pl.) CAPO, the head of a branch of the Mafia.
capo(Ital.) the head of a branch of the Mafia > CAPOS or CAPI.
caps(Pl.) CAP, to put a cap on something.
carb(Abbr.) carburettor > CARBS. Also CARBY.
cardTo provide with a card (a stiff piece of paper) > CARDS, CARDING, CARDED.
careTo be concerned or interested > CARES, CARING, CARED.
carkWorry; trouble, distress; (verb) to worry > CARKS, CARKING, CARKED. [L. carricare, to load].
carlA rude, rustic man; a churl > CARLS. Also CARLE, CARLOT.
carnA mound of stone set up as a memorial > CARNS. Also CAIRN, KARN.
carp(Verb) to criticise, complain > CARPS, CARPING, CARPED.
carr(ON) an alder wood > CARRS.
cars(Pl.) CAR, a self-propelled wheeled vehicle.
cartTo convey in a cart (a two-wheeled vehicle) > CARTS, CARTING, CARTED.
casa(Ital.) a house, a mansion > CASAS.
caseTo put in a case (a container or receptacle) > CASES, CASING, CASED.
cashA small Eastern coin > CASHES; (verb) to convert to cash > CASHES, CASHING, CASHED. [Port. caiza].
caskA hollow round container for holding liquor, made of wooden staves bound with hoops; (verb) to put in a cask > CASKS, CASKING, CASKED.
castTo throw with force > CASTS, CASTING, CAST or (obs.) CASTED.
cate(Obs.) a dainty or choice food > CATES.
cath(v) to insert a catheter into a patient.
cats(3rd.) CAT, to vomit.
caufA coal-miner's basket > CAUVES. Also CORF.
caukAn opaque, compact variety of BARITE, or heavy spar > CAUKS. Also CAWK.
caulA foetal membrane covering the head > CAULS.
caum(Scots) pale bluish-grey clay; (verb) to whiten with this > CAUMS, CAUMING, CAUMED. Also CAM, CALM.
caup(Scots) a two-handed drinking bowl > CAUPS.
cava(Spanish) a sparkling wine > CAVAS.
caveTo hollow out > CAVES, CAVING, CAVED.
cavyA kind of South American rodent > CAVIES.
cawkAn opaque, compact variety of BARITE, or heavy spar > CAWKS. Also CAUK.
caws(3rd.) CAW, to cry as a crow.
cays(Pl.) CAY, a low islet.
cazh(Sl.) casual.
ceas(Shakesp.) enough said. Also CAESE, SESE, SESEY, SESSA.
ceca(Pl.) CECUM, the blind gut.
cedeTo yield or surrender something, such as a territory > CEDES, CEDING, CEDED.
cedi(Fante) a Ghanaian monetary unit, equal to 100 PESEWAS > CEDIS.
cees(Pl.) CEE, the letter C.
ceilTo provide with a ceiling > CEILS, CEILING, CEILED. Also CIEL.
cell(Verb) to store in a honeycomb > CELLS, CELLING, CELLED.
cels(Pl.) CEL, celluloid.
celtA prehistoric stone tool, such as an axehead > CELTS.
cens(Fr.) a nominal annual payment given to the owner of an estate or property in recognition of his or her title.
centA coin worth 1/100th of a dollar > CENTS.
cepeA kind of edible mushroom > CEPES. Also CEP.
ceps(Pl.) CEP, a kind of edible mushroom.
cereWax; a wax-like protuberance at base of upper part of bird's bill; (verb) to cover with wax > CERES, CERING, CERED.
cero(Spanish) a large spiny-finned food fish > CEROS. [Sp. sierra, saw].
cert(Abbr.) certainty > CERTS.
cessA tax, a local rate; (verb) to impose a tax > CESSES, CESSING, CESSED. Also SESS.
ceteA badger's home > CETES. Also SETT.
chadA bit of paper punched out of paper tape or cards > CHADS.
chai(Romany) fem. of CHAL, a fellow, a person > CHAIS.
chal(Romany) a fellow, a person > CHALS. The feminine is CHAI.
cham(Turkish) a prince or chief; a governor > CHAMS. Also KHAN.
chao(Vietnamese) a monetary unit of Vietnam > CHAOS. Also HAO.
chapTo roughen > CHAPS, CHAPPING, CHAPPED or CHAPT.
charTo burn slightly > CHARS, CHARRING, CHARRED.
chas(Pl.) CHA, tea.
chatTo converse informally > CHATS, CHATTING, CHATTED.
chav(Coll.) derogatory word for a young working class person who wears casual sports clothes > CHAVS.
chawTo grind with the teeth; to masticate > CHAWS, CHAWING, CHAWED.
chay(Tamil) an Indian plant of the madder family whose root chayroot yields a red dye > CHAYS. [Tamil saya]. Also CHAYA, SHAYA.
chef(Verb) to work as a chef > CHEFS, CHEFING or CHEFFING, CHEFED or CHEFFED.
chem(Short for) a chemistry class or course > CHEMS.
cher(Fr.) dear.
chewTo crush or grind with the teeth > CHEWS, CHEWING, CHEWED.
chez(Fr.) at the home of.
chiaA Mexican herb > CHIAS.
chib(Scots) a sharp weapon such as a knife or razor; (verb) to slash with a sharp weapon > CHIBS, CHIBBING, CHIBBED.
chic(Noun) style, elegance > CHICS; (adj.) having style, elegant > CHICER, CHICEST; CHICLY.
chid(Pt.) CHIDE, to scold.
chik(Hindi) a slatted blind > CHIKS. [Hindi ciq].
chin(Verb) to hold with the chin > CHINS, CHINNING, CHINNED.
chipTo break a small piece from > CHIPS, CHIPPING, CHIPPED.
chis(Pl.) CHI, a Greek letter.
chit(Dial.) a shoot; (verb) to sprout > CHITS, CHITTING, CHITTED.
chiv(Slang) a knife; (verb) to cut with a knife > CHIVS, CHIVING or CHIVVING, CHIVED/CHIVVED.
chiz(Sl.) a cheat, a swizz; (verb) to swindle > CHIZZES, CHIZZING, CHIZZED.
choc(Coll.) chocolate > CHOCS.
chog(Dial.) the core of a piece of fruit > CHOGS.
chon(Korean) a Korean monetary unit. OSPD says pl. CHON, but Chambers implies pl. is CHONS, and CHONS is in OSWI. Also JUN.
chopTo sever with a sharp tool > CHOPS, CHOPPING, CHOPPED.
chou(Fr.) a cabbage; an ornamental soft rosette; a cream bun > CHOUX.
chow(Verb) to eat > CHOWS, CHOWING, CHOWED.
chubA species of fresh-water fish of the Cyprinidae or Carp family, aka CHEVEN > CHUBS.
chugTo move with a dull explosive noise, as a locomotive > CHUGS, CHUGGING, CHUGGED.
chum(Verb) to become a chum > CHUMS, CHUMMING, CHUMMED.
chur(NZ) an informal expression of agreement.
chut(Fr.) an expression of impatience.
ciao(Ital.) goodbye.
cide(Obs.) to decide > CIDES, CIDING, CIDED.
cids(Pl.) CID, a champion.
cielTo provide with a ceiling > CIELS, CIELING, CIELED. Also CEIL.
cigs(Pl.) CIG, cigarette.
cillA sill > CILLS.
cineA motion picture > CINES.
cinq(French) the number five > CINQS.
cionA detached piece of a plant capable of propagating, esp by grafting; a young member of a family > CIONS. Also SCION.
cire(Fr.) a fabric with a waxed finish (the e is accented) > CIRES.
cirlA species of bunting > CIRLS.
cistA tomb consisting of stone chest covered with stone slabs > CISTS, CISTED.
citeTo quote as an authority or example > CITES, CITING, CITED.
cito(Lat.) quickly.
cits(Pl.) CIT, a term of contempt for someone who is not a gentleman.
cityA large town > CITIES, CITIED.
civeA herb of the onion family. Also CHIVE.
cladTo cover one material with another > CLADS, CLADDING, CLADDED.
clagTo stick > CLAGS, CLAGGING, CLAGGED.
clam(Verb) to dig for clams > CLAMS, CLAMMING, CLAMMED.
clanA united group of families > CLANS.
clapTo bring the hands together smartly > CLAPS, CLAPPING, CLAPPED or CLAPT.
clat(Scots) something scraped together, a lump; (verb) to scratch, scrape > CLATS, CLATTING, CLATTED. Also CLAUT.
clawTo scratch with claws (sharp, curved toenails) > CLAWS, CLAWING, CLAWED.
clay(Verb) to purify (e.g. sugar) with clay > CLAYS, CLAYING, CLAYED.
clefA character placed on the stave by which the absolute pitch of the following notes is fixed > CLEFS.
clegA horse-fly > CLEGS.
clemTo starve > CLEMS, CLEMMING, CLEMMED.
clewA corner of a sail with hole to attach ropes; (verb) to attach a rope thus > CLEWS, CLEWING, CLEWED.
clipTo cut e.g. hair > CLIPS, CLIPPING, CLIPPED or CLIPT.
clit(Sl.) a clitoris > CLITS.
clodA lump or mass, especially of earth, turf, or clay > CLODLY; (verb) to pelt with clods > CLODS, CLODDING, CLODDED.
clogA wooden shoe; a shoe with a wooden sole; (verb) to choke with an impediment > CLOGS, CLOGGING, CLOGGED.
clonA group of asexually derived organisms > CLONS.
clopTo make the sound of a hoof striking pavement > CLOPS, CLOPPING, CLOPPED.
clotTo form into a clot (a thick mass) > CLOTS, CLOTTING, CLOTTED.
clou(Fr.) the main point of interest; a dominant idea > CLOUS.
clow(Scots) = CLOVE > CLOWS. A clow-flower is a gillyflower.
cloyTo gratify beyond desire > CLOYS, CLOYING, CLOYED.
clubA heavy staff of wood, usually tapering, and wielded in the hand; (verb) to strike with a club > CLUBS, CLUBBING, CLUBBED.
clue(Verb) to furnish with a clue > CLUES, CLUING or CLUEING, CLUED.
coal(Verb) to dig for coal; to transport coal > COALS, COALING, COALED.
coatAn outer garment with sleeves; an overcoat; (verb) to cover with a coat, in various senses > COATS, COATING, COATED.
coaxTo cajole > COAXES, COAXING, COAXED.
cobbA gull, esp. the great black-backed gull > COBBS. Also COB.
cobs(3rd.) COB, to strike, thump on the buttocks.
coca(Quechua) the dried leaf of a South American shrub > COCAS. [Sp. f. Aymara kuka or Quechua koka.]
coch(Obs.) a coach > COCHES.
cockA male bird; (verb) to draw back (the cock of a gun) > COCKS, COCKING, COCKED.
cocoThe coconut palm > COCOS.
coda(Ital.) an end-piece > CODAS.
codeTo convert into symbols > CODES, CODING, CODED.
cods(3rd.) COD, to trick, deceive.
coedA girl student at a coeducational institution > COEDS.
coff(Scots) to buy > COFFS, COFFING, COFFED or COFT.
coft(Scots) pt. COFF, to buy.
cogs(3rd.) COG, to cheat, dissemble.
cohoA Pacific salmon > COHOS or COHOES. Also COHOE.
coifA covering for the head, esp the close-fitting cap of white lawn or silk originally worn by serjeants-at-law; (verb) to put the hair into a coif > COIFS, COIFING, COIFED. Also COIFFE, QUOIF.
coilTo wind in even rings > COILS, COILING, COILED.
coinTo make coins (metal currency) > COINS, COINING, COINED.
coirA material for cordage, matting, etc., consisting of the prepared fiber of the outer husk of the cocoanut > COIRS. Also KYAR.
coit(Aust. sl.) the buttocks, the backside > COITS.
coke(Verb) to make into, or to become like, coke > COKES, COKING, COKED.
cokyResembling coke > COKIER, COKIEST.
cola(Temne) a genus of W. African trees producing nuts used in drugs and for flavouring soft drinks > COLAS. Also KOLA.
coldNot hot > COLDER, COLDEST; COLDLY; (noun) the state of being cold > COLDS.
coleA plant of the Brassica or Cabbage genus; esp. that form of B. oleracea called rape and coleseed > COLES.
coll(Obs.) to embrace, hug > COLLS, COLLING, COLLED.
cols(Pl.) COL, a pass over mountains.
coltA young male horse; (verb) to frisk like a colt, to defraud > COLTS, COLTING, COLTED.
colyAn African bird > COLIES.
coma(Lat.) a spherical cloud of material surrounding the head of a comet > COMAE or COMAS.
combTo arrange or clean with a comb (a toothed instrument) > COMBS, COMBING, COMBED.
comeTo move toward something or someone > COMES, COMETH, COMING, CAME.
commAs in comm badge, a small wearable badge-shaped radio transmitter > COMMS.
comp(Coll.) a compositor; (verb) to work as a compositor > COMPS, COMPING, COMPED.
coms(Abbr.) combinations. N.B. no COM*.
cond(Pt.) CON, to know, study.
cone(Verb) to bear cones > CONES, CONING, CONED.
confAn online conference > CONFS.
coni(Pl.) CONUS, a type of ventricle in mammals.
conkTo fail, break down > CONKS, CONKING, CONKED. Also KONK.
connTo direct the steering of > CONNS, CONNING, CONNED. Also CON.
cons(3rd.) CON, to trick, or persuade by dishonest means.
conyA rabbit > CONIES. Also CONEY.
coof(Scots) a lout, a dolt > COOFS. Also CUIF.
cookTo prepare food by heating > COOKS, COOKING, COOKED.
coolModerately cold > COOLER, COOLEST; COOLLY; (verb) to make less warm > COOLS, COOLING, COOLED.
coomSoot; coal dust; refuse matter; (verb) to begrime > COOMS, COOMING, COOMED.
coonA raccoon > COONS.
coopTo confine > COOPS, COOPING, COOPED.
coos(3rd.) COO, to make a sound like a dove.
cootA water bird, black with a white frontal shield > COOTS.
copeTo contend or strive > COPES, COPING, COPED.
copi(n) Asian carp, especially as an invasive species in the Americas.
cops(3rd.) COP, to capture.
copyTo imitate > COPIES, COPYING, COPIED.
cord(Verb) to bind with a cord > CORDS, CORDING, CORDED.
coreTo remove the core (the central part) of > CORES, CORING, CORED.
corfA coal-miner's basket > CORVES. Also CAUF.
corkThe outer bark of the cork tree, a species of oak; (verb) to stop up with a cork > CORKS, CORKING, CORKED.
cormThe swollen subterranean part of a stem > CORMS.
cornTo preserve with salt > CORNS, CORNING, CORNED.
cors(Pl.) COR, a Hebrew measure.
cory(Romany) (vulg.) the penis > CORIES. [Romany kori, thorn]. Also COREY.
coseTo make oneself cosy > COSES, COSING, COSED.
coshA bludgeon, truncheon, lead-pipe, piece of flexible tubing filled with metal, or the like, used as a weapon; (verb) to strike with a cosh > COSHES, COSHING, COSHED.
coss(Hindi) a measure of distance > COSSES. Also KOSS, KOS.
costTo estimate a price for production of > COSTS, COSTING, COST or COSTED.
cosySnug > COSIER, COSIEST; COSILY; (noun) a cover for a teapot > COSIES. Also COSEY, COSIE, COZEY, COZIE, COZY. (Verb) to make cosy, snuggle > COSIES, COSYING, COSIED.
coteTo pass by; to outstrip (as one dog another) > COTES, COTING, COTED.
coth(Abbr.) hyperbolic cotangent > COTHS.
cots(Pl.) COT, a small bed for a young child.
cott(Spenser) a small boat > COTTS.
coup(Scots) to overturn, turn up > COUPS, COUPING, COUPED. Also COWP.
cour(Obs.) to cover > COURS, COURING, COURED or COURD.
cove(Verb) to form or provide with an architectural cove > COVES, COVING, COVED.
cowk(Dial.) to retch, feel nauseated > COWKS, COWKING, COWKED.
cowlA large loose hood, esp of a kind worn by a monk; (verb) to cover with a cowl > COWLS, COWLING, COWLED.
cowp(Scots) to overturn, turn up > COWPS, COWPING, COWPED. Also COUP.
cows(Pl.) COW, to subdue.
cowySuggestive of a cow > COWIER, COWIEST.
coxa(Lat.) the first joint of the leg of an insect or crustacean > COXAE.
coxyBumptious, self-assured > COXIER, COXIEST. Also COCKY, COCKSY.
coys(3rd.) COY, to caress.
cozeTo chat > COZES, COZING, COZED. [Fr. causer].
cozy(Noun) a cover for a teapot. Also COSY, COSEY, COSIE, COZIE, COZEY. (Adj.) cosy > COZIER, COZIEST; COZILY; (verb) to cuddle up > COZIES, COZYING, COZIED.
crabA marine crustacean; (verb) to obstruct, frustrate > CRABS, CRABBING, CRABBED.
cragA rough steep rock > CRAGS. Also CRAIG.
cramTo fill or pack tightly > CRAMS, CRAMMING, CRAMMED.
cranA measure of capacity for herrings just landed, = 37.5 gallons > CRANS.
crapTo throw a 2, 3, or 12 in a dice game > CRAPS, CRAPPING, CRAPPED.
crawThe stomach of an animal > CRAWS.
cray(Aust.) a CRAYFISH > CRAYS.
cred(Abbr. of) credibility > CREDS.
creeOf grain, to soften by boiling or soaking > CREES, CREEING, CREED. [Fr. crever, to burst].
cremA crematorium > CREMS.
crewTo serve aboard a ship > CREWS, CREWING, CREWED.
criaThe offspring of a llama > CRIAS.
cribTo confine closely > CRIBS, CRIBBING, CRIBBED.
crim(Abbr.) criminal > CRIMS.
cris(Malay) a dagger or short sword used by the Malays, commonly having a serpentine blade. Also KRIS, CREESE, KREESE.
crit(Abbr.) criticism > CRITS.
croc(Abbr.) crocodile > CROCS.
crog(Dial.) to ride a bicycle as a passenger > CROGS, CROGGING, CROGGED.
cronin computing, a command used to schedule a job that is executed at a certain time, or periodically > CRONS.
cropTo cut off short > CROPS, CROPPING, CROPPED.
crowAny of several large black birds of the genus Corvus; (verb) to gloat, exult > CROWS, CROWING, CROWED.
crudAnything dirty, filthy; (verb) to encrust with dirt > CRUDS, CRUDDING, CRUDDED.
crue(Milton) crew > CRUES.
crus(Lat.) a part of a leg, the shank > CRURA.
crux(Lat.) the nub, the crucial point > CRUCES or CRUXES,
cubeTo form into a cube (a regular solid) > CUBES, CUBING, CUBED.
cubs(3rd.) CUB, to produce cubs.
cuck(v) to have relations with a man’s spouse or partner.
cuds(Pl.) CUD, a portion of food to be chewed again.
cued(Pt.) CUE, to give a cue as a signal.
cues(3rd.) CUE, to give a cue as a signal.
cuffThe end of the sleeve near the wrist; a covering for the wrist; (verb) to strike esp. round the head > CUFFS, CUFFING, CUFFED.
cuif(Scots) a lout, a dolt > CUIFS. Also COOF.
cuit(Scots) the ankle > CUITS. Also CUTE, COOT.
cuke(Sl.) a cucumber > CUKES.
cullTo select from others > CULLS, CULLING, CULLED.
culmThe stem of grass or sedge; (verb) to form a culm > CULMS, CULMING, CULMED.
cultA religious society > CULTS.
cums(Pl.) CUM, ejaculated sperm.
cuntThe female pudendum > CUNTS.
cups(3rd.) CUP, to form into a cup shape.
curbTo restrain > CURBS, CURBING, CURBED.
curd(Verb) to curdle > CURDS, CURDING, CURDED.
cureTo restore to health > CURES, CURING, CURED.
curfAn incision made by a cutting tool > CURFS. Also KERF.
curlTo form into ringlets > CURLS, CURLING, CURLED.
curn(Scots) a grain, a small quantity > CURNS. Also CURRAN.
currTo make a purring sound > CURRS, CURRING, CURRED.
curs(Pl.) CUR, a mongrel dog.
curtAbrupt > CURTER, CURTEST; CURTLY.
cushThe cushion in billiards > CUSHES.
cuskA kind of fish, aka TORSK or BURBOT > CUSKS.
cuspA point; the point or horn of the moon; a toothlike meeting of two branches of a curve > CUSPS, CUSPED.
cuss(Coll.) to curse > CUSSES, CUSSING, CUSSED.
cutePleasingly attractive > CUTER, CUTEST; CUTELY.
cuts(3rd.) CUT, to make an incision in.
cwms(Pl.) CWM, a bowl-shaped valley or hollow in (Welsh) mountains.
cyanA greenish-blue colour > CYANS.
cyma(Lat.) an ogee moulding of the cornice > CYMAE or CYMAS.
cymeA flower cluster in which each growing point ends in a flower, the oldest flowers being at the top or centre of the cluster > CYMES.
cystA sac > CYSTS.
cyteIn biology, a cell > CYTES.
czar(Russian) ruler, emperor > CZARS. Also TSAR, TZAR.