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."
inseparable
camp out
A2 neutral inseparable intransitive
To sleep outside in a tent or in the open, or to stay somewhere for a long time waiting for something.
In plain English
To sleep outside in a tent, or to stay in one place for a long time waiting for something.
What does "camp out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
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."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To go out and camp somewhere.
Actually means
To sleep outside in a tent, or to stay in one place for a long time waiting for something.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "camp out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
tent backyard fans overnight doorstep queue
How to conjugate "camp out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "camp out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "camp out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.