What does navvied mean?
Navvied is an informal British adjective meaning that someone has been cheated, duped, or deprived of money. It is especially common in expressions such as 'get navvied' and 'be navvied out of,' where it describes being unfairly overcharged or losing money through someone else's dishonest or careless actions. The word can also convey a broader sense of feeling badly treated or given a poor deal, as in sporting or social contexts, although its financial associations are strongest. Compared with the more general 'cheated' or 'conned', navvied has a distinctly conversational and often humorous tone, making it particularly suited to informal writing and speech. It is not normally used in formal or very precise financial contexts.
adjectiveDeprived of money or unfairly cheated, especially by being duped or overcharged. It can also describe a person who has been badly treated or had an unpleasant surprise.
- Deprived of money or unfairly cheated, especially by being duped or overcharged.
- Unluckily treated, deceived, or given a bad deal.
"The tourists were navvied out of twenty pounds by the dishonest taxi driver."
"I bought the counterfeit ticket and ended up navvied of fifty pounds."
"The team felt navvied after the referee's decisions went against them throughout the match."
One little word turns a financial loss into a vivid story: after being overcharged, you were not merely cheated—you were navvied.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does navvied come from?
The word is connected with the British noun and verb 'navvy', a labourer associated with digging and construction work. Its figurative sense of being cheated or fleeced developed through the idea of being treated unfairly or being at a disadvantage. The spelling 'navvied' reflects the British pronunciation and spelling conventions associated with 'navvy'.
How navvied is actually used
Chiefly British and informal. It is often used in the construction 'be/get navvied', particularly with 'out of' followed by money or something valuable. The word can sound humorous or dramatic rather than neutral.
Easily confused with navvied
A navvy is a labourer who digs or builds tunnels, canals, or roads, whereas navvied means cheated or deprived of money.