navy
9 synonyms and 0 antonyms for navy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A country's armed maritime military force.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use navy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French navie, "fleet of ships," from Latin navigium, from navis, "ship" — the color sense comes from the traditional dark blue of naval uniforms.
Full origin of navy →Frequently asked questions
What does “navy” mean?
The word “navy” means a country's armed maritime military force. In plain terms, a country's sea-based military, or the dark blue color associated with naval uniforms.
How do you pronounce “navy”?
“Navy” is pronounced NAY-vee (/ˈneɪvi/ in IPA).
How do you use “navy” in a sentence?
Here is “navy” used in a sentence: “He joined the navy right after high school.”
What part of speech is “navy”?
Depending on how it is used, “navy” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “navy” come from?
The word “navy” comes from Latin. From Old French navie, "fleet of ships," from Latin navigium, from navis, "ship" — the color sense comes from the traditional dark blue of naval uniforms.
Is “navy” a common word?
“Navy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “navy” have?
“Navy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a country's armed maritime military force.
What is the difference between a navy and an army?
A navy is the branch of a country's armed forces that fights at sea, using ships, submarines, and naval aircraft. An army fights on land. Together with the air force, they form a nation's military, each specialising in a different environment: water, ground, and sky.
What does a navy do?
A navy defends a country's waters and coastline, protects shipping and trade routes, projects power far from home, and can launch operations from the sea. Its work includes patrolling, deterring threats, supporting allies, delivering aid, and, in wartime, fighting enemy vessels and forces.
Why is a navy important?
Because most of the world is ocean and most trade travels by sea, a navy safeguards the routes and waters a nation depends on. It defends coastlines, deters aggression, and lets a country respond to crises far from home, making it central to national security.
Does 'navy' also mean a colour?
Yes. 'Navy', short for navy blue, is a very dark blue named after the traditional uniforms of the British Royal Navy. So the same word can mean a nation's sea forces or the deep blue shade associated with their historic dress.