Standard Lemma guide

navvy

noun · verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈnævi/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ævi

1

noun

Meaning 1

A laborer on a civil engineering project such as a canal or railroad.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, historical

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

an unskilled laborer

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To carry out physical labor on a civil engineering project.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, historical, intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

a laborer who is obliged to do menial work

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: drudge, peon, galley slave

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: laborer, manual laborer, labourer, jack

History

Etymology

Clipping of navigator, in reference to the navigation canals upon which these workers first toiled, + -y.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Belarusian: земляко́п (zjemljakóp) — laborer on a civil engineering project such as a canal or railroad
  • Bulgarian: изкопчия (izkopčija) — laborer on a civil engineering project such as a canal or railroad
  • Czech: kopáč — laborer on a civil engineering project such as a canal or railroad
  • Dutch: grondwerker — laborer on a civil engineering project such as a canal or railroad
  • French: terrassier — laborer on a civil engineering project such as a canal or railroad
  • Italian: manovale — laborer on a civil engineering project such as a canal or railroad
  • Polish: kopacz — laborer on a civil engineering project such as a canal or railroad
  • Russian: землеко́п (zemlekóp) — laborer on a civil engineering project such as a canal or railroad
  • Slovak: kopáč — laborer on a civil engineering project such as a canal or railroad
  • Ukrainian: землеко́п (zemlekóp) — laborer on a civil engineering project such as a canal or railroad