noun
navel
NAY-vuhl
noun
1
The small indentation on the belly where the umbilical cord was once attached.
"She has a small tattoo just above her navel."
2
A seedless variety of orange with a navel-like formation at its base.
"Navel oranges are easy to peel and very sweet."
How to Use Navel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe belly button, or the sweet seedless orange named for its navel-like mark.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "naval" (relating to a navy) — they are pronounced almost identically but spelled and mean differently.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
navel orange
navel piercing
Word Forms
naveled past tense, navelled past tense, navels plural, navels singular
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She has a small tattoo just above her _____.
Etymology
From Old English nafola, from Proto-Germanic roots meaning "hub" — the same ancient root also produced the word "nave" (a wheel hub).