nautical

adjective

nau·​ti·​cal ˈnȯ-ti-kəl 

ˈnä-

: of, relating to, or associated with seamen, navigation, or ships

a dictionary of nautical terms

nautical flags

nautical skills

nautically

ˈnȯ-ti-k(ə-)lē 

ˈnä-

adverb

Synonyms

• marine
• maritime
• navigational

Examples of nautical in a Sentence

a dictionary of nautical terms

collected sextants and other antique nautical equipment

Recent Examples on the Web

Virgin Voyages set sail for the first time in late 2021, with the aim of creating a boutique hotel experience at sea that strikes a balance between nautical chic and glamour for adults only. —Dana Rose Falcone, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025

They are surrounded by a chaotic lattice of masts and rigs, hallmarks of the nautical flow that brought people and goods to ports along the Thames. —Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025

Muntz is a marine material in the nautical brass family that was relied upon to sheath ship hulls, protecting them from marine organisms that would contribute to rot. —Jeanine Barone, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

Some of the ladies shopped for nautical attire, especially for the occasion. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin nauticus, from Greek nautikos, from nautēs sailor, from naus ship — more at nave

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing nautical

• nautical mile

Kids Definition

nautical

adjective

nau·​ti·​cal ˈnȯt-i-kəl 

ˈnät-

: of or relating to sailors, navigation, or ships

nautically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Etymology

from Latin nauticus "nautical," from Greek nautikos (same meaning), from nautēs "sailor," from naus "ship" — related to astronaut, nausea see Word History at nausea