# camel

/ˈkæməɫ/ (US) · /kˈæməl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/camel
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the animal

noun · CEFR A2

a large animal with a long neck and humps on its back, used for riding or carrying things in the desert.

For teachers: a large, humped ruminant mammal of the genus Camelus, adapted to arid environments and used as a beast of burden.

- The tourists rode a camel across the sand dunes during their desert safari.
- The camel is uniquely adapted to survive for long periods without water, making it an essential transport animal in Saharan regions.

### 2. the colour

noun · CEFR B2

a light yellowish-brown colour, like the fur of a camel.

For teachers: a light brownish-tan colour resembling the natural coat of a camel.

- She wore a long coat in a classic shade of camel.
- The interior designer recommended camel for the upholstery to provide a neutral yet warm tone to the living room.

### 3. colour description

adjective · CEFR B2

having a light yellowish-brown colour.

For teachers: describing a light yellowish-brown or tan hue.

- He bought a camel sweater that matched his brown trousers perfectly.
- The autumn collection featured several camel wool blazers paired with dark denim.

### 4. engineering/salvage

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a large tank or float used to lift heavy objects, like sunken ships, in the water.

For teachers: a hollow, watertight tank or float used in pairs to provide buoyancy for lifting sunken vessels or reducing a ship's draft.

- The salvage crew attached a camel to each side of the boat to lift it.
- Engineers deployed a series of steel camels to raise the historic wreck from the harbour floor without damaging the hull.

## Examples

- The camel carries heavy bags across the hot desert.
- Tourists often ride a camel to see the ancient pyramids during their visit to Egypt.
- Evolutionary adaptations allow the camel to withstand extreme temperature fluctuations and conserve water by producing highly concentrated urine and dry dung.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.