nautical

adjective

nau·​ti·​cal ˈnȯ-ti-kəl 

ˈnä-

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

a dictionary of nautical terms

nautical flags

nautical skills

nautically

ˈnȯ-ti-k(ə-)lē 

ˈnä-

adverb

Synonyms of nautical

• navigational
• naval
• marine
• maritime

Examples of nautical in a Sentence

a dictionary of nautical terms

collected sextants and other antique nautical equipment

Recent Examples on the Web

Lester’s, the hotel’s restaurant, will open in the annex next door in summer 2026, but a full breakfast is served daily in the cozy on-site bar adorned with nautical paintings. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 June 2026

Expect vibrant colors, nautical touches, dishwasher-safe materials, and even surrealist styles that look more like sculpture than salad tongs. —Mina Dragani, Architectural Digest, 8 June 2026

To become a licensed drone pilot within the department, officers must apply, interview, and pass an FAA exam — requiring knowledge of nautical and weather chart reading. —Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026

Browse nautical antiques, like bells, diving helmets, and shells, at Tin Shed. —Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 7 June 2026

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

Rhymes for nautical

• aeronautical
• astronautical

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