camp
The outdoor sense of the word evokes a feeling of ruggedness and a return to nature, often associated with simplicity, adventure, and a detachment from urban luxuries. It suggests a temporary state of existence where the environment dictates the routine.
In a cultural context, the term describes an aesthetic of irony and artifice. It is not merely about being tacky, but about the self-aware enjoyment of things that are so over-the-top or outdated that they become stylish. This usage is common in fashion, theater, and queer culture.
Countable when referring to a specific location or organized program like a scout camp. Uncountable when referring to the general activity of living in tents.
Meanings
A place where people live temporarily in tents or cabins.
We set up camp by the river.
To establish a temporary living site.
They decided to camp in the national park.
To stay in a tent or temporary shelter.
We spent the weekend camping in the woods.
A deliberate style of art or behavior that is exaggeratedly gaudy or theatrical.
The costume party was pure camp.
Phrasal Verbs
camp out
to stay overnight in a tent or outdoors
They decided to camp out in the backyard for the night.