Calm, caring and curious are words children can grow into. Use these C words for character lessons, compliments, writing prompts or a word wall. Every word below has a short meaning written for children.
Core words by grade
A short list for each grade band, with a meaning, an example sentence and audio.
Grades K–2
10 words- calmadjective
- Quiet and peaceful inside. “I feel calm after quiet reading time.”
- caringadjective
- Kind and helpful to others. “A caring friend helped me up.”
- celebrateverb
- To do something fun for a happy event. “We celebrate birthdays with a class song.”
- cheerfuladjective
- Happy and bright. “Our cheerful bus driver waves every morning.”
- cleveradjective
- Quick to understand and learn. “What a clever idea!”
- complimentnoun
- Something kind you say about someone. “I gave my friend a compliment about her drawing.”
- cooladjective
- Really good or fun. “That is a cool science project!”
- cozyadjective
- Warm and comfortable. “The reading corner is cozy.”
- cuddleverb
- To hold someone close in a warm hug. “I cuddle my puppy after school.”
- curiousadjective
- Wanting to learn or know more. “Curious kids ask lots of questions.”
Grades 3–5
10 words- capableadjective
- Able to do something well. “You are capable of finishing this project.”
- championnoun
- A winner, or someone who stands up for others. “Be a champion for kids who feel left out.”
- comfortableadjective
- Relaxed and at ease. “I feel comfortable asking questions in class.”
- compassionateadjective
- Caring about others when they are sad or hurt. “A compassionate friend sat with me when I was sad.”
- confidentadjective
- Sure of yourself. “She felt confident reading her poem aloud.”
- congratulateverb
- To tell someone you are happy they did well. “Let’s congratulate the spelling bee winners.”
- considerateadjective
- Thinking about how others feel. “It was considerate to save me a seat.”
- cooperateverb
- To work together to get something done. “We cooperate to clean up the art table.”
- couragenoun
- Being brave when something feels hard. “It takes courage to try something new.”
- creativeadjective
- Good at making new things or ideas. “Her creative costume was made from boxes.”
Grades 6–8
10 words- camaraderienoun
- Friendship and trust among people in a group. “Our team’s camaraderie grew during the long season.”
- candidadjective
- Honest and open about what you think. “Her candid feedback helped me fix my essay.”
- charismaticadjective
- Having a special charm that draws people in. “The charismatic class president got everyone excited.”
- claritynoun
- Being clear and easy to understand. “Write with clarity so readers can follow your steps.”
- committedadjective
- Giving your full effort to something. “A committed teammate never skips a practice.”
- composedadjective
- Calm and in control of your feelings. “She stayed composed during the big game.”
- conscientiousadjective
- Careful to do things well and right. “A conscientious student turns in neat, careful work.”
- contributeverb
- To give your time, ideas or help. “Everyone can contribute an idea to the class mural.”
- courteousadjective
- Polite and respectful. “A courteous student holds the door for others.”
- cultivateverb
- To help something grow over time. “Reading every day helps you cultivate new interests.”
All 101 positive C words
Each word with a simple meaning. Tap the speaker to hear it.
Showing all 101 words
Words to describe a friend
35 words- candidadjective
- Honest and open about what you think.
- capableadjective
- Able to do something well.
- captivatingadjective
- So interesting that you can’t look away.
- carefuladjective
- Taking your time to do things safely and well.
- caringadjective
- Kind and helpful to others.
- championnoun
- A winner, or someone who stands up for others.
- charismaticadjective
- Having a special charm that draws people in.
- charitableadjective
- Giving help or money to people in need.
- charmingadjective
- Pleasant in a way that makes people like you.
- cheerfuladjective
- Happy and bright.
- cheerleadernoun
- Someone who cheers others on.
- chumnoun
- A close friend.
- civiladjective
- Polite and respectful, even when you disagree.
- cleveradjective
- Quick to understand and learn.
- colorfuladjective
- Full of bright colors, or lively and interesting.
- comfortingadjective
- Making others feel safe and better.
- comicaladjective
- Funny in a way that makes people laugh.
- commendableadjective
- Deserving praise.
- committedadjective
- Giving your full effort to something.
- companionnoun
- A friend who spends time with you.
- compassionateadjective
- Caring about others when they are sad or hurt.
- competentadjective
- Able to do a job well.
- confidentadjective
- Sure of yourself.
- congenialadjective
- Friendly and easy to get along with.
- conscientiousadjective
- Careful to do things well and right.
- considerateadjective
- Thinking about how others feel.
- consistentadjective
- Doing things the same good way every time.
- constructiveadjective
- Helpful and meant to make things better.
- cooladjective
- Really good or fun.
- cooperativeadjective
- Happy to work together and help out.
- cordialadjective
- Warm, polite and friendly.
- courageousadjective
- Brave, even when something is hard.
- courteousadjective
- Polite and respectful.
- creativeadjective
- Good at making new things or ideas.
- curiousadjective
- Wanting to learn or know more.
Feelings
11 words- calmadjective
- Quiet and peaceful inside.
- carefreeadjective
- Without worries.
- centeredadjective
- Calm and steady inside.
- cherishedadjective
- Loved and well cared for.
- chipperadjective
- Happy and lively.
- comfortableadjective
- Relaxed and at ease.
- composedadjective
- Calm and in control of your feelings.
- connectedadjective
- Feeling close to other people.
- contentadjective
- Happy with what you have.
- contentmentnoun
- A calm, happy feeling of having enough.
- cozyadjective
- Warm and comfortable.
Doing words
26 words- captivateverb
- To hold someone’s attention in a wonderful way.
- careverb
- To feel that someone or something matters.
- celebrateverb
- To do something fun for a happy event.
- cheerverb
- To shout or clap to support someone.
- cherishverb
- To love and take good care of something.
- chooseverb
- To pick what you want or what is right.
- chuckleverb
- To laugh quietly.
- coachverb
- To help someone learn and get better.
- collaborateverb
- To work with others to make or solve something.
- comfortverb
- To help someone feel better.
- commendverb
- To praise someone for doing well.
- communicateverb
- To share ideas and feelings with others.
- composeverb
- To write a song, poem or story.
- compromiseverb
- To agree by each giving up a little.
- concentrateverb
- To keep your mind on one thing.
- confideverb
- To tell someone you trust how you feel.
- congratulateverb
- To tell someone you are happy they did well.
- connectverb
- To join together, or to make a new friend.
- contemplateverb
- To think long and carefully about something.
- contributeverb
- To give your time, ideas or help.
- cooperateverb
- To work together to get something done.
- copeverb
- To handle something hard in a healthy way.
- craftverb
- To make something with skill and care.
- createverb
- To make something new.
- cuddleverb
- To hold someone close in a warm hug.
- cultivateverb
- To help something grow over time.
Things and ideas
29 words- camaraderienoun
- Friendship and trust among people in a group.
- candornoun
- Honest, open talk.
- celebrationnoun
- A happy event to mark something special.
- challengenoun
- A hard task that helps you grow.
- characternoun
- The kind of person you are inside.
- charismanoun
- A special quality that makes people want to follow you.
- charitynoun
- Giving help to people who need it.
- charmnoun
- A friendly, delightful way of being.
- claritynoun
- Being clear and easy to understand.
- comebacknoun
- A return to doing well after a hard time.
- commitmentnoun
- A promise to give your full effort.
- communitynoun
- A group of people who live, work or learn together.
- companionshipnoun
- Friendly time spent together.
- compassionnoun
- Caring about someone who is hurting.
- complimentnoun
- Something kind you say about someone.
- composurenoun
- Staying calm and in control.
- confettinoun
- Tiny bits of colored paper thrown at celebrations.
- confidencenoun
- Believing in yourself and what you can do.
- connectionnoun
- A link between people or ideas.
- consciencenoun
- The feeling inside that tells you right from wrong.
- conservationnoun
- Protecting nature so it lasts.
- considerationnoun
- Thinking about other people and their feelings.
- contributionnoun
- Something you give to help a group.
- cooperationnoun
- Working together to reach a goal.
- couragenoun
- Being brave when something feels hard.
- courtesynoun
- Polite, kind behavior toward others.
- creativitynoun
- Using your imagination to make new things.
- creditnoun
- Praise or thanks for something good you did.
- curiositynoun
- Wanting to find out and learn new things.
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Questions about positive C words
What is a powerful positive word that starts with C?
Courage, compassionate and conscientious are powerful C words. Each one names a strength that takes effort, which makes them great for character lessons.
What is a nice or beautiful word that starts with C?
Cozy, cherish and carefree are gentle, happy words. Calm is a beautiful word to teach, because children can feel it as well as say it.
What compliments start with C?
Try “You’re so caring,” “That was clever” or “You’re a champion for others.” For artwork or a story, “This is so creative” is always welcome.
What personality traits start with C?
Caring, cheerful, confident, considerate and curious are positive traits that start with C. Older students can add candid, committed and courteous.
How can I use positive C words in class?
Try a compliment circle: each child gives a classmate one C word and says why it fits. You can also pick a trait of the week, such as courage, and look for it in your read-aloud.