camp
temporary outdoor living area
A place where people sleep in tents or simple houses for a short time.
to stay at [a camp]
- We spent the weekend at a camp near the lake.
- The soldiers returned to camp after the day's training.
- They run a children's camp every summer.
- We slept at a camp near the river.
- The camp has many small tents.
- We go to camp every July.
stay in temporary outdoor shelter
To sleep outside in a tent or simple shelter for fun or travel.
to camp [somewhere]
- We plan to camp by the river this weekend.
- They camped in the forest for three nights.
- We often camp in national parks.
- We camp near the beach.
- They camp in the forest.
- We will camp here tonight.
group with shared beliefs/interests
A group of people who believe the same things or want the same goals.
[someone] is in [a camp]
- The issue divided the party into two camps.
- She belongs to the environmentalist camp.
- Both camps agreed to hold talks.
- The group split into two camps.
- He is in the green camp.
- The camps do not agree.
exaggerated theatrical style
A way of acting or showing style that is very big, colorful, and sometimes funny on purpose.
- The movie is full of camp and over-the-top costumes.
- Her performance was pure camp from start to finish.
- He loves the camp style of old musicals.
- The show was full of camp.
- His clothes have a camp style.
- The movie was camp and funny.
- Base: camp
- Plural: camp, camps
- Base: camp
- 3rd Person Singular: camps
- Present Participle: camping
- Past: camped
break camp
1leave temporary outdoor shelter
To take down tents and things and leave the place where you were staying outside.
- We broke camp early in the morning to avoid the heat.
- The soldiers broke camp and moved east.
camp out
1sleep outdoors in tent/shelter
To sleep outside in a tent or other simple shelter.
- We decided to camp out under the stars.
- Protesters are camping out in front of city hall.
happy camper
1person satisfied with situation (often negative)
Someone who is pleased with what is happening (often used to say someone is not pleased).
- After missing the bus, she was not a happy camper.
- Give him some food and he'll be a happy camper.
in someone's camp
1support someone's side/position
To agree with someone and be on their side.
- Don't worry—I'm in your camp on this issue.
- Most of the team is in her camp.
set up camp
1prepare temporary outdoor shelter
To make a place ready to live in for a short time outside.
- We set up camp before it got dark.
- They set up camp by the river for the night.