Camp

/kæmp/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A place where people live temporarily in tents or other temporary structures.

The children were excited to spend the summer at camp by the lake.

A training or rehabilitation program or an activity that gathers people for a common purpose.

The sports camp will help aspiring athletes improve their skills.

A group of people who share a common interest or purpose.

She felt a strong sense of community with her fellow campers in the environmental camp.

verb

To establish a camp or to settle temporarily in a camp.

We plan to camp by the river for the weekend.

To spend time outdoors, typically in a tent or similar shelter.

They love to camp in the mountains every summer.

adjective

Exaggerated, theatrical, or ludicrous, often in a playful or humorous way.

The performance was delightfully camp, filled with over-the-top costumes and comedy.

Middle French 'campo', from Latin 'campus' which means 'field'.

camp out:

To sleep outdoors in a tent or under the open sky.

campfire:

A fire set up outdoors for cooking or warmth, often used for gatherings.

summer camp:

A program for children or teenagers during the summer involving various activities.

Something that is overly exaggerated or affected.

That outfit is so camp, it's almost theatrical!

To behave in an exaggeratedly effeminate manner.

He turned up at the party in a camp outfit, stealing the show.