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

Newburyport, Massachusetts With a rich nautical history dating back to the 17th century, Newburyport is the ultimate coastal town with classic colonial architecture and quaint mom-and-pop shops. —Kira Turnbull, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2024

There are a trio of golf courses and a country club or two, along with a private lagoon for nautical sports as well as direct access over a long duckwalk to a pristine stretch of white-sand beach with a beachfront restaurant. —Mark David, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2024

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