camel
B1Neutral to formal for the animal; specialized for other meanings.
Definition
Meaning
A large domesticated mammal of arid regions, with a long neck and one or two humps on its back, used for carrying loads and for riding.
1. The tan colour typical of a camel's hair. 2. A device for moving heavy objects in water, consisting of a buoyant structure attached beneath them. 3. A heavy fabric, originally made from camel hair.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to the animal (Camelus). The colour name derives from the typical shade of its hair. The 'marine camel' is a technical term in naval architecture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference for the animal. The colour 'camel' is used identically. The phrase 'camel's hair' (for brushes/coats) is more common in UK; 'camel hair' is typical in US.
Connotations
Shared connotations of endurance, the desert, and traditional travel. The idiom 'straw that broke the camel's back' is universal.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties, with slight UK preference for hyphenation in compound adjectives (camel-coloured).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] + camel: ride, herd, load, breed, see a camel[adjective] + camel: one-humped, two-humped, laden, stubborn, thirstyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the straw that broke the camel's back”
- “swallow a camel and strain at a gnat”
- “a camel is a horse designed by a committee”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in textile trade ('camel hair fabric') or logistics as a metaphor for robust systems.
Academic
Used in biology, zoology, anthropology (studies of domestication, desert cultures).
Everyday
Common when discussing animals, zoos, deserts, travel, and the colour of clothing.
Technical
In marine engineering: 'camel' as a flotation device for ship salvage.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They had to camel the supplies across the arid plateau.
- The engineers will camel the sunken vessel.
American English
- They had to camel the supplies across the desert.
- The salvage team will camel the wreck.
adjective
British English
- She wore a smart, camel-coloured overcoat.
- The camel-hair brush was very soft.
American English
- She wore a smart, camel colored overcoat.
- The camel hair brush was very soft.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We saw a camel at the zoo.
- Her coat is camel.
- Camels can live for many days without water.
- The Bedouin guide led the camel train across the dunes.
- The biologist explained how the camel's hump stores fat, not water.
- Adding this final task was the straw that broke the camel's back.
- The maritime archaeologists used a series of camels to refloat the ancient galley.
- The negotiation process was like a camel—a clumsy compromise designed by too many people.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CAMera with a Long lens taking a picture of a CAMEL. Both have a long, protruding part (lens/hump).
Conceptual Metaphor
ENDURANCE IS A CAMEL (e.g., 'He has the stamina of a camel'); BURDEN-CARRIER IS A CAMEL (e.g., 'The department became the camel for all the extra work').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'верблюд' (correct), but note idioms may differ. The Russian colour 'верблюжий' maps directly to 'camel'.
- The English idiom 'straw that broke the camel's back' is equivalent to 'последняя капля' in Russian.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'cammel' or 'cameled'. Incorrect plural: 'camels' (correct), not 'camel'. Misuse: calling a llama or alpaca a 'camel'.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'Bactrian camel'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, this is a common myth. A camel's hump stores fat, which can be metabolised for energy and water. Their water is stored in their bloodstream and other tissues.
A dromedary is a type of camel, specifically the one-humped Arabian camel (Camelus dromedarius). The term 'camel' can refer to both dromedaries and the two-humped Bactrian camel.
Yes, but it's rare and highly specialised. It can mean to work or travel like a camel, or in marine contexts, to raise a submerged object using a buoyant 'camel' device.
It means to accept or ignore a major fault or problem (the camel) while making a fuss about a minor, trivial issue (the gnat). It criticises hypocrisy or misplaced priorities.