came

cam (mechanical part)

noun KAM Less Common

Also means

dope, drugs (slang)

Usage Note

Came in its technical sense refers to a cam — a rotating part in machinery such as a camshaft (arbre à cames). In very informal French slang it means illegal drugs. The two uses are entirely unrelated in register; the technical sense is far more common in print. Feminine noun.

Examples

"L'arbre à cames est usé dans ce moteur."

Natural Translation

The camshaft is worn in this engine.

Literal Translation

The shaft to cams is worn in this engine.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

How to Pronounce the French R (Step by Step)

The French R is a back-of-the-throat sound, not a rolled R. Learn the exact tongue position and a step-by-step drill to build it from sounds you already make.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French False Friends: 25 Faux Amis to Avoid

French false friends look like English words but mean something else: actuellement is not actually, sensible means sensitive. Here are 25 faux amis to avoid.

June 3, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

Tu vs Vous: When to Use Each in French

Tu vs vous in French: use tu for one friend, family, or child, and vous for strangers, elders, your boss, and any group. A clear etiquette guide.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

Avoir or Être? Picking the Right Past-Tense Helper

Use avoir for the passé composé unless the verb is reflexive or one of ~16 DR MRS VANDERTRAMP motion verbs, which take être and force agreement.

June 4, 2026 5 min read