What does "navy" mean?

1. (military force) the part of a country's armed forces that uses ships and submarines to fight at sea. 2. (dark blue colour) a very dark shade of blue, like the colour of many police or sailor uniforms. 3. (colour description) having a very dark blue colour. 4. (a fleet of ships) a large group of ships belonging to one person or country.

How do you use "navy"?

Often used with 'the' as a collective noun. Can be used as an uncountable noun or as a modifier before another noun. Usually placed before the noun it describes.

navy

n. · adj.

US //ˈneɪvi// UK //nˈeɪvi// navy

1 military force (n.)
B1 Intermediate

the part of a country's armed forces that uses ships and submarines to fight at sea.

a nation's entire maritime military force, including its personnel, vessels, and supporting infrastructure.

Example

He decided to join the navy because he wanted to travel the world by sea.

Example

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.
- fleet
- naval force
- army
- air force
2 dark blue colour (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a very dark shade of blue, like the colour of many police or sailor uniforms.

a dark blue colour, frequently referred to as navy blue, traditionally associated with naval uniforms.

Example

She wore a smart suit in navy for her job interview.

Example

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.
- dark blue
- midnight blue

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3 colour description (adj.)
B1 Intermediate

having a very dark blue colour.

possessing the specific dark blue hue characteristic of navy blue.

Example

He bought a navy sweater that matched his eyes perfectly.

Example

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.
- dark blue
4 a fleet of ships (n.)
C2 Proficiency Archaic Literary

a large group of ships belonging to one person or country.

any fleet of maritime vessels, including commercial or military ships belonging to a specific nationality.

Example

The merchant sent his navy across the ocean to trade spices.

Example

The historical chronicle describes how the merchant navy of the republic dominated trade routes throughout the Mediterranean for centuries.

Teacher's tip

This sense is rarely found in modern speech; it is mostly encountered in historical texts or classic literature.
- fleet
- armada

Origin

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”).