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camp out

A2 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To sleep outside in a tent, or to stay in one place for a long time waiting for something.

Literal meaning: To go out and camp somewhere.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To sleep outside or in a tent, usually for recreation.

"The children wanted to camp out in the backyard under the stars."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic informal

To wait outside a place for a long time, often overnight, to be first in line for something.

"Fans camped out overnight to get tickets for the concert."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic informal

To set up a temporary working or living space somewhere, often informally.

"We camped out in the conference room for three days while the office was being renovated."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

The literal sense (sleeping outdoors) is very common. The figurative sense (waiting outside a shop, stadium, etc.) is also widely used, especially in news reporting.

Commonly used with

tent backyard fans overnight doorstep queue

Forms

Base
camp out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
camps out
he/she/it
Past simple
camped out
yesterday
Past participle
camped out
have + pp
-ing form
camping out
continuous

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