decamp
C2 / Low-frequencyFormal / Humorous / Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
To leave a place suddenly and secretly, especially to escape from something.
To depart or move away from a place of residence, work, or activity, often in an abrupt, informal, or non-permanent manner.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
It often implies a quick or unplanned departure, carrying a nuance of escape or evasion. It can be used literally (leaving a physical location) and metaphorically (leaving a job, organization).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning. Slightly more common in British journalistic or narrative prose.
Connotations
Both share connotations of suddenness and evasion. Can be used humorously in both varieties.
Frequency
Rare in everyday speech in both varieties; more likely found in writing.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[S] decamp (from A) (to B)[S] decamp (with sb/sth)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to decamp with the funds/valuables”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, but used for sudden executive departures or companies relocating.
Academic
Rare. May appear in historical texts about armies or populations.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation. Used humorously ("The cat decamped with my sandwich").
Technical
Used in military contexts for breaking camp (original meaning).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The entire board decided to decamp to a country hotel for their strategy meeting.
- After the scandal, the MP quietly decamped to his constituency home.
American English
- The startup decamped from Silicon Valley to Austin for lower costs.
- He decamped with the company's confidential files.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The thieves decamped before the police arrived.
- After the festival, we all decamped to a local café.
- The disgraced CEO decamped to Monaco with a substantial severance package.
- Faced with mounting criticism, the government advisers decamped for a weekend of crisis talks.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of DE- (away from) + CAMP (a temporary site). To 'de-camp' is to leave your camp suddenly.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEAVING IS BREAKING CAMP / ESCAPE IS A SUDDEN DEPARTURE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not 'расположиться лагерем' (to camp). False friend to Russian 'декемпинг' (wild camping).
- Closer to 'сбежать', 'убраться', 'исчезнуть' (with a nuance of suddenness).
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean simply 'to camp' or 'to set up camp' (opposite meaning).
- Overusing in contexts where 'leave' or 'move' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'decamp' used most accurately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but it often implies a sudden, secretive, or surprising departure. It can be neutral (moving offices) or humorous, not necessarily illegal.
It comes from French 'décamper', from des- (expressing removal) + camper (to camp). Its original military meaning was 'to break up camp and move on'.
It's more typical for temporary or abrupt moves, not planned, permanent relocations. It suggests a lack of formality or ceremony.
It is formal or literary, but can be used in an informal, humorous way. In everyday speech, 'leave suddenly' or 'run off' are more common.