ENGLISH
REFERENCE

caravan

n. countable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈkæɹəˌvæn// UK //kˈæɹɐvˌæn// car·a·van

n. a vehicle that people can live and sleep in, which is usually pulled by a car. You use it for holidays or as a mobile home.

n. a vehicle equipped for living in, typically towed by a car and used for holidays. In historical or desert contexts, refers to a group of people or animals travelling together for safety.


SIMPLE

We spent our summer holiday travelling in a caravan.

CONTEXTUAL

The family decided to tow their caravan to the coast for a week of camping by the sea.

COMPLEX

While modern tourists prefer luxury motorhomes, the traditional caravan remains a staple of the British seaside holiday, offering a compact and mobile alternative to permanent summer cottages.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle French caravane, from Old French carvane, from Persian کاروان (kârvân), from Middle Persian kʾlwʾn' (kārawān), from Old Persian 𐎣𐎠𐎼 (k-a-r, “people, subjects”). The word was used to designate a group of people who were travelling by camel or horse on the Silk Road. Doublet of Kairouan.

Usage

Commonly used in British English; the American equivalent is 'trailer' or 'camper'.

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