noun
camphor
KAM-fuh
Camphor (noun) means a white, waxy, strong-smelling crystalline compound used in medicine, insect repellents, and traditional remedies. Example: “She rubbed camphor ointment on her chest to ease the cough.”
noun
1
A white, waxy, strong-smelling crystalline compound used in medicine, insect repellents, and traditional remedies.
"She rubbed camphor ointment on her chest to ease the cough."
How to use camphor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA pungent white waxy substance, often derived from the camphor laurel tree, used in ointments and mothballs.
Common pairings
camphor oil
camphor tree
smell of camphor
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Word forms
- Plural
- camphors
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She rubbed _____ ointment on her chest to ease the cough.
Etymology
From Old French camphore, via Medieval Latin from Arabic kafur, ultimately traced back to a Malay word, kapur.
Frequently asked questions
What does “camphor” mean?
The word “camphor” means a white, waxy, strong-smelling crystalline compound used in medicine, insect repellents, and traditional remedies. In plain terms, a pungent white waxy substance, often derived from the camphor laurel tree, used in ointments and mothballs.
How do you pronounce “camphor”?
“Camphor” is pronounced KAM-fuh (/ˈkæmfɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “camphor” in a sentence?
Here is “camphor” used in a sentence: “She rubbed camphor ointment on her chest to ease the cough.”
What part of speech is “camphor”?
“Camphor” is a noun.
Where does the word “camphor” come from?
The word “camphor” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French camphore, via Medieval Latin from Arabic kafur, ultimately traced back to a Malay word, kapur.
