camel case: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Technical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “camel case” mean?
A naming convention in programming where words are joined together without spaces, and each word except the first begins with a capital letter, forming a humped shape reminiscent of a camel's back.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A naming convention in programming where words are joined together without spaces, and each word except the first begins with a capital letter, forming a humped shape reminiscent of a camel's back.
A specific style of writing compound words or identifiers, primarily used in computer programming for variables, functions, filenames, and software packages, to enhance readability where spaces are not allowed. Its use has extended to branding, product names, and sometimes technical documentation beyond pure code.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling remains 'camel case' in both. Occasionally called 'camelCase' or 'CamelCase' in technical contexts universally.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties. No regional connotations.
Frequency
Equally frequent in UK and US technical/programming contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “camel case” in a Sentence
[Noun/Identifier] is written in camel case.You should [use/apply/follow] camel case for [variable/function] names.The system requires names in camel case.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “camel case” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The linter will camel-case that identifier for you.
- Make sure to camel case the property names.
American English
- The function camelCases the input string.
- You need to camel-case the filename.
adverb
British English
- The words were joined camel-case.
- It's written camel-case.
American English
- Name the file camel-case.
- Format the header camel-case.
adjective
British English
- A camel-case variable is easier to read.
- Follow the camel-case naming policy.
American English
- Use a camelCase identifier here.
- The camel-cased filename was rejected.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in tech company branding or product naming discussions (e.g., 'We'll use camel case for the new API endpoint names').
Academic
Used in computer science papers, technical reports, and style guides for programming languages.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Unfamiliar to non-technical audiences.
Technical
The primary domain. Ubiquitous in software development, coding standards, documentation, and developer tooling.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “camel case”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “camel case”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “camel case”
- Writing 'camel-case' with a hyphen (the term itself is not typically hyphenated).
- Using it to describe any multi-word identifier without capitals (e.g., 'camelcase' all lowercase).
- Confusing 'camel case' (first word lowercase) with 'Pascal case' (first word also capitalised).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Camel case (or lower camel case) starts the first word with a lowercase letter (e.g., 'calculateTotal'). Pascal case (or upper camel case) capitalises the first letter of every word, including the first (e.g., 'CalculateTotal').
The name is attributed to a 1995 post by Newton Love, who stated, 'The compound name looks like a camel with humps, due to the uppercase letters.' It's a visual metaphor.
Very rarely. Its primary and almost exclusive use is in computing for naming identifiers. You might occasionally see it in product branding (e.g., 'FedEx', 'WordPress') which technically follows the pattern.
Remove all spaces and punctuation. Start the first word with a lowercase letter. Then capitalise the first letter of every subsequent word. For example, 'first name' becomes 'firstName', 'total amount due' becomes 'totalAmountDue'.
A naming convention in programming where words are joined together without spaces, and each word except the first begins with a capital letter, forming a humped shape reminiscent of a camel's back.
Camel case is usually technical/formal in register.
Camel case: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkæməl ˌkeɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkæməl ˌkeɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's camel case all the way down. (humorous reference to nested structures using the convention)”
- “Mind the humps! (reminder to capitalise correctly)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of capital letters as the humps on a camel's back, sticking up between the lowercase letters.
Conceptual Metaphor
LINGUISTIC SHAPES ARE ANIMAL SHAPES (The visual pattern of letters resembles an animal's silhouette).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is an example of camel case?