navy
NAY-vee
Navy (noun) means a country's armed maritime military force. Example: “He joined the navy right after high school.”
noun
1
A country's armed maritime military force.
"He joined the navy right after high school."
"The navy conducted exercises off the coast."
"My grandfather served in the navy and travelled to many distant ports."
2
A dark blue color, also called navy blue.
"She wore a navy suit to the interview."
"The school uniform includes a navy jumper and grey trousers."
"He painted the front door navy to match the garden gate."
adj
1
Having a dark blue color.
"He picked out navy socks to match his suit."
"The school uniform includes a navy jumper and grey trousers."
"She painted the front door navy to stand out from the neighbours."
How to use navy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA country's sea-based military, or the dark blue color associated with naval uniforms.
Common pairings
join the navy
navy blue
naval officer
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Word forms
- Plural
- navies
- Comparative
- more navy
- Superlative
- most navy
Fill the gap
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He joined the _____ right after high school.
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.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for navy
See all rhymes for 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.
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