caravan
gb/kˈɛɹəvˌæn/ us/kˈɛɹəvˌæn/
B1
English
~ 8500
karaván, lakókocsi, konvojban megy
NOUN
B2
1
karaván
B2
Usage pattern:
a caravan of [people/vehicles]
A large migrant caravan is making its way toward the border.
Egy nagy migránskaraván tart a határ felé.
The protesters formed a caravan of cars that slowly circled the city center.
A tüntetők autókaravánba rendeződtek, és lassan köröztek a városközpontban.
In the past, traders crossed the desert in a caravan protected by guards.
A caravan of aid trucks brought food and medicine to the remote villages.
They joined a caravan of motorbikes riding to the music festival.
Learner examples
A caravan of cars drove slowly through the town.
Egy autókaraván lassan végighajtott a városon.
We saw a caravan of people walking across the hot desert.
Láttunk egy karavánt, amely a forró sivatagon vonult át.
The news showed a migrant caravan traveling to the city.
A caravan of trucks brought water to the small village.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think a 'caravan' only means a holiday vehicle. In news stories, especially about migrants or refugees, 'caravan' usually means a group of people or vehicles traveling together, not a trailer.
Meaning
group traveling together
Collocations
migrant caravan
|a caravan of refugees
|a caravan of trucks
|a caravan of cars
|lead a caravan
|join the caravan
Synonyms
convoy (Usually refers to a group of vehicles, especially military or official; less often used for people on foot.)
|
procession (Suggests a line of people or vehicles moving in an ordered way, often for a ceremony rather than a practical journey.)
Antonyms
lone traveler (Refers to a person traveling alone, without being part of a group or organized line.)
Themes
travel
|transport
|society
|transportation
Definition
A group of people or vehicles that travel together in one long line, usually for a long trip.
A group of people and/or vehicles that travel together in an organized way, often over a long distance and for safety or practical reasons.
NOUN
B1
2
lakókocsi
B1
Usage pattern:
stay in a caravan
They spent two weeks in a caravan by the sea.
Két hetet töltöttek egy lakókocsiban a tengerparton.
We bought a second‑hand caravan so we can travel more cheaply.
Vettünk egy használt lakókocsit, hogy olcsóbban tudjunk utazni.
The campsite has spaces for both tents and caravans.
She lives all year round in a static caravan on the coast.
You need a powerful car if you want to tow such a large caravan.
Learner examples
My parents pull a caravan when we go on holiday.
A szüleim lakókocsit húznak, amikor nyaralni megyünk.
We sleep in the caravan at the weekend.
Hétvégén a lakókocsiban alszunk.
There are many caravans in the park near the beach.
He wants to live in a caravan and travel around the country.
Common mistake:
Learners who use American English sometimes confuse this word with 'caravan' meaning a group of travelers and do not realize that in British English it very commonly means a holiday trailer or mobile home.
Meaning
towed vehicle for living in
Collocations
tow a caravan
|static caravan
|touring caravan
|caravan park
|caravan site
|caravan holiday
Synonyms
trailer (In North American English, 'travel trailer' or 'trailer' is the usual term; 'caravan' is more common in British and Australian English.)
|
camper (Often used for vehicles designed for camping, including motorhomes; not always specifically a towed vehicle.)
Antonyms
house (A permanent building used as a home, the opposite of movable or temporary living space like a caravan.)
Themes
travel
|leisure
|housing
Definition
A small home on wheels that a car pulls, where people can sleep and live when they travel or stay in a park.
A road vehicle fitted with beds and basic living facilities, usually pulled by a car and used as temporary accommodation for holidays or longer stays.
VERB
C1
3
Usage pattern:
[people] caravan to [place]
Several families caravanned to the concert in three minivans.
Több család három kisbusszal, konvojban ment a koncertre.
We decided to caravan to the wedding so no one would get lost.
Úgy döntöttünk, hogy konvojban megyünk az esküvőre, hogy senki se tévedjen el.
They caravanned across the country in a line of old camper vans.
On holiday weekends, groups of friends often caravan to the lake.
The parents asked the teens to caravan rather than drive alone at night.
Learner examples
We will caravan to the beach in two cars.
Két autóval, konvojban megyünk a strandra.
Three families caravanned to the mountains together.
Három család együtt, konvojban ment a hegyekbe.
Let’s caravan so we do not lose each other.
They caravanned across the country in their old cars.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'caravan' is only a noun. As a verb, it is mainly used in North American English to describe groups driving together in separate vehicles.
Meaning
travel together in vehicles
Collocations
caravan across the country
|caravan together
|families caravaned
|caravan to the coast
|caravan in several cars
Synonyms
travel in convoy (Very close in meaning; slightly more formal and commonly used in military or official contexts.)
Antonyms
travel separately (Describes each person or vehicle going on its own, not staying together as one group.)
Themes
travel
|transport
|transportation
Definition
To go on a trip in more than one car or vehicle that stays together as one group.
To travel in a group of two or more vehicles that stay together on the same route.
Grammar
Dictionary form
caravan
IPA
GB/kˈɛɹəvˌæn/
US/kˈɛɹəvˌæn/
Syllables & stress
cara - van (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cara)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: caravan
- Plural: caravans
Verb
- Base: caravan
- 3rd Person Singular: caravans
- Present Participle: caravaning, caravanning
- Past: caravaned, caravanned
Word family
Forms
caravans
noun
caravaning
verb
caravanning
verb
caravaned
verb
caravanned
verb
Related words
caravanner
noun
campervan
noun
Expressions
a caravan of
1/ə kˈɛɹəvˌæn əv/
fixed phrase
long line moving together
A phrase used to describe a long line of people, animals, or vehicles that are moving together.
Examples
- A caravan of trucks rolled slowly into the flooded city with supplies.
- We watched a caravan of camels crossing the sand at sunset.
- A caravan of cyclists passed through the village during the race.
caravan park
1/kˈɛɹəvˌæn pˈɑɹk/
fixed phrase
site where caravans stay
A special area with roads, power, and washing places where people can put their caravans and stay for a holiday or longer time.
Examples
- We booked a week at a seaside caravan park in Wales.
- The caravan park has a small shop, a pool, and a children’s play area.
- Many retirees live year‑round in a quiet caravan park outside the town.
caravan site
1/kˈɛɹəvˌæn sˈaɪt/
fixed phrase
land area for caravans
Land that is officially used for caravans, where people can park their caravans and stay.
Examples
- The village council voted against a new caravan site near the school.
- We found a quiet caravan site a few miles from the beach.
- Some caravan sites are open only in summer.
static caravan
1/stˈætɪk kˈɛɹəvˌæn/
fixed phrase
caravan kept in one place
A caravan that stays in one place in a park or on land and is used like a small home, not moved often.
Examples
- They bought a static caravan on the coast as a cheap holiday home.
- Many families rent a static caravan for a week in the summer.
- He lives in a static caravan on his brother’s farm.
touring caravan
1/tˈʊɹɪŋ kˈɛɹəvˌæn/
fixed phrase
caravan for traveling around
A caravan that is made to be pulled often by a car, so people can travel and stay in many different places.
Examples
- They bought a small touring caravan and spent the summer driving around Europe.
- A touring caravan is lighter and easier to tow than a static caravan.
- The club organizes weekends away for touring caravan owners.
migrant caravan
1/mˈaɪɡɹənt kˈɛɹəvˌæn/
fixed phrase
large group of migrants traveling
A big group of migrants who travel together, usually on foot or in simple vehicles, along the same route for safety and support.
Examples
- Television cameras followed the migrant caravan as it moved north toward the border.
- The government announced new measures in response to the approaching migrant caravan.
- Officials said the migrant caravan included many families with young children.
- Journalists followed the migrant caravan as it moved north through several countries.
- Aid groups set up water stations along the route of the migrant caravan.
- Aid groups brought water and food to the migrant caravan on the border.