army-navy store: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal
Quick answer
What does “army-navy store” mean?
A retail store selling surplus or used military clothing, equipment, and supplies.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A retail store selling surplus or used military clothing, equipment, and supplies.
A store specializing in rugged, utilitarian goods, often with a military or outdoor aesthetic, originally sourced from military surplus but now often selling new, similarly styled merchandise.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively American. In British English, the equivalent concept is a 'surplus store' or 'army surplus store'. The specific phrase 'army-navy store' is very rarely used in the UK.
Connotations
In AmE: Nostalgic, practical, utilitarian, associated with outdoor hobbies, bargain hunting, or a specific working-class/military aesthetic. In BrE: The concept ('surplus store') carries similar practical connotations but lacks the specific cultural nostalgia of the American term.
Frequency
High frequency in AmE for describing this specific type of historical/persisting store. Very low to zero frequency in BrE, where 'surplus store' is standard.
Grammar
How to Use “army-navy store” in a Sentence
[Subject] bought [Object] at an army-navy store.[Subject] found [Object] in an army-navy store.The army-navy store sells [Object].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “army-navy store” in a Sentence
verb
American English
- He army-navy-stored his whole wardrobe. (very informal, non-standard)
adjective
American English
- She has an army-navy store aesthetic.
- He wore an army-navy store coat.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in historical context or niche retail analysis.
Academic
Used in cultural studies, sociology, or history discussing post-war American consumer culture.
Everyday
Common when referring to a specific store or type of shopping for practical, rugged items.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “army-navy store”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “army-navy store”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “army-navy store”
- Using 'army-navy' as an adjective without 'store' (e.g., 'I bought an army-navy jacket' is acceptable, but 'I went to the army-navy' is incomplete). Confusing it with a standard clothing or sporting goods store.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are retail stores open to the general public.
Traditionally they sold surplus (which could be new or used), but many now also sell new merchandise made in a similar style.
No, the standard British term is 'surplus store' or 'army surplus store'.
Heavy coats, boots, backpacks, camping gear, tools, blankets, and generic work clothing.
A retail store selling surplus or used military clothing, equipment, and supplies.
Army-navy store is usually informal in register.
Army-navy store: in American English it is pronounced /ˈɑːrmi ˈneɪvi stɔːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the branches of the military: the ARMY and the NAVY. A store that sells gear from both is an ARMY-NAVY STORE.
Conceptual Metaphor
UTILITY IS A MILITARY RESOURCE (goods from a military context are seen as the epitome of practicality and durability).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of an army-navy store?