navvy

noun

nav·​vy ˈna-vē How to pronounce navvy (audio)
plural navvies
Synonyms of navvynext
chiefly British
: an unskilled laborer

Word History

Etymology

by shortening & alteration from navigator construction worker on a canal

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of navvy was in 1829

Dictionary Entries Near navvy

Navratilova

navvy

navy

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Navvy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/navvy. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

navvy

noun
nav·​vy ˈnav-ē How to pronounce navvy (audio)
plural navvies
chiefly British
: an unskilled laborer

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