2 N‑COUNT A clump of things such as wires or hair is a group of them collected together in one place. □ I was combing my hair and it was just falling out in clumps. [Also + of ]
3 VERB If things clump together , they gather together and form small groups or lumps. □ [V + together ] Brown rice takes longer to cook but it doesn't clump together as easily as white rice.
clumpy /klʌ mpi/ (clumpier , clumpiest ) ADJ Clumpy means big and clumsy. □ …clumpy shoes.
clum|sy /klʌ mzi/ (clumsier , clumsiest )
1 ADJ A clumsy person moves or handles things in a careless, awkward way, often so that things are knocked over or broken. □ Unfortunately, I was still very clumsy behind the wheel of the jeep. ● clum|si|ly /klʌ mz I li/ ADV [ADV with v] □ The rooks flew clumsily towards their nests. ● clum|si|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Ben's biggest problem is clumsiness.
2 ADJ A clumsy action or statement is not skilful or is likely to upset people. □ The action seemed a clumsy attempt to topple the Janata Dal government. □ He denied the announcement was clumsy and insensitive. ● clum|si|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ If the matter were handled clumsily, it could cost Miriam her life. ● clum|si|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ I was ashamed at my clumsiness and insensitivity.
clung /klʌ ŋ/ Clung is the past tense and past participle of cling .
clunk /klʌ ŋk/ (clunks ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A clunk is a sound made by a heavy object hitting something hard. □ Something fell to the floor with a clunk.
clunk|er /klʌ ŋkə r / (clunkers ) N‑COUNT If you describe a machine, especially a car, as a clunker , you mean that it is very old and almost falling apart. [AM ]
clunky /klʌ ŋki/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as clunky , you mean that it is solid, heavy, and rather awkward. □ …a clunky piece of architecture.
clus|ter /klʌ stə r / (clusters , clustering , clustered )
1 N‑COUNT A cluster of people or things is a small group of them close together. □ [+ of ] There's no town here, just a cluster of shops, cabins and motels at the side of the highway.
2 VERB If people cluster together , they gather together in a small group. □ [V + together ] The passengers clustered together in small groups. □ [V + around/round ] The children clustered around me. [Also V prep]
3 → see also clustered
clu s|ter bomb (cluster bombs ) N‑COUNT A cluster bomb is a type of bomb which is dropped from an aircraft. It contains a large number of smaller bombs that spread out before they hit the ground.
clus|tered /klʌ stə r d/ ADJ If people or things are clustered somewhere, there is a group of them close together there. □ Officials were clustered at every open office door, talking excitedly.
clutch /klʌ tʃ/ (clutches , clutching , clutched )
1 VERB If you clutch at something or clutch something, you hold it tightly, usually because you are afraid or anxious. □ [V + at ] I staggered and had to clutch at a chair for support. □ [V n] She was clutching a photograph.
2 N‑PLURAL [usu with poss] If someone is in another person's clutches , that person has captured them or has power over them. □ Stojanovic escaped their clutches by jumping from a moving vehicle.
3 N‑COUNT In a vehicle, the clutch is the pedal that you press before you change gear. □ Laura let out the clutch and pulled slowly away down the drive.
4 to clutch at straws → see straw
clut|ter /klʌ tə r / (clutters , cluttering , cluttered )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Clutter is a lot of things in an untidy state, especially things that are not useful or necessary. □ Caroline prefers her worktops to be clear of clutter.
2 VERB If things or people clutter a place, they fill it in an untidy way. □ [V n] Empty soft-drink cans clutter the desks. □ [be V -ed + with ] The roads were cluttered with cars and vans. ● PHRASAL VERB Clutter up means the same as clutter . □ [V P n] The vehicles cluttered up the car park. □ [V n P ] This room is so impressive it would be a shame to clutter it up. [Also V n P + with ]
cm cm is the written abbreviation for centimetre or centimetres . □ His height had increased by 2.5 cm.
Cmdr Cmdr is a written abbreviation for commander . □ …Cmdr Richard Mason.
Co. ◆◆◇
1 Co. is used as an abbreviation for company when it is part of the name of an organization. [BUSINESS ] □ …the Blue Star Amusement Co.
2 Co. is used as a written abbreviation for county before the names of some counties, especially in Ireland. □ …Co. Waterford.
3 PHRASE You use and co. after someone's name to mean the group of people associated with that person. [INFORMAL ] □ Wayne Hussey and Co. will be playing two live sets each evening.
PREFIX co-
forms verbs and nouns that refer to people sharing things or doing things together. For example, if two people co-write a book, they write it together. The co-author of a book is one of the people who have written it.