# Kam

/ˈkæm/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Adjective

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

## Definition

describing something that is twisted, bent, or not straight. It is an old word that people rarely use today except in very specific literature.

For teachers: crooked, awry, or twisted to one side. Often used in literary or historical contexts to describe physical deformity or moral deviance.

## Examples

- The old wooden fence stood kam against the wind.
- The architect noticed that the support beams were slightly kam, requiring immediate adjustment to level the roof.
- In the play, the character's kam features were intended to mirror his twisted and deceitful nature, a common trope in early modern drama.

## Usage notes

- Typically used predicatively after a linking verb like 'is' or 'stands'.

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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.