Definitions
01military force
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. the part of a country's armed forces that uses ships and submarines to fight at sea.
n. a nation's entire maritime military force, including its personnel, vessels, and supporting infrastructure.
“He decided to join the navy because he wanted to travel the world by sea.”
“The government announced a significant increase in funding for the navy to modernise its aging fleet of destroyers and submarines.”
Usage
Often used with 'the' as a collective noun.
Synonyms
02dark blue colour
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a very dark shade of blue, like the colour of many police or sailor uniforms.
n. a dark blue colour, frequently referred to as navy blue, traditionally associated with naval uniforms.
“She wore a smart suit in navy for her job interview.”
“The interior designer recommended painting the accent wall in a deep navy to provide a sophisticated contrast with the white marble fireplace.”
Usage
Can be used as an uncountable noun or as a modifier before another noun.
Synonyms
03colour description
B1 · Intermediate
adj. having a very dark blue colour.
adj. possessing the specific dark blue hue characteristic of navy blue.
“He bought a navy sweater that matched his eyes perfectly.”
“The bridesmaids were dressed in elegant navy gowns that complemented the nautical theme of the seaside wedding.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it describes.
Synonyms
04a fleet of ships
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Archaic · Literary
n. a large group of ships belonging to one person or country.
n. any fleet of maritime vessels, including commercial or military ships belonging to a specific nationality.
“The merchant sent his navy across the ocean to trade spices.”
“The historical chronicle describes how the merchant navy of the republic dominated trade routes throughout the Mediterranean for centuries.”
Teaching tip
This sense is rarely found in modern speech; it is mostly encountered in historical texts or classic literature.
Etymology
From Middle English nave, navye, from Anglo-Norman, Old French navie, from Latin nāvigia < nāvigium, from Latin nāvigō, nāvis (“boat”), from Proto-Indo-European *néh₂us. Compare Ancient Greek ναῦς (naûs, “ship”), Persian ناو (nâv, “boat, warship”), Sanskrit नाव (nāva, “ship”), Old English nōwend (“mariner, sailor”). Displaced native Old English sċiphere (literally “ship army”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/navy
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0