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

• 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

Throughout the home, the materials and colors used nod to the nautical setting. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2025

The nautical colors remind me of summer and go well with almost any neutral-colored trousers. —Leila Najafi, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2025

The ship’s nautical interiors likewise nod to history. —Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025

The Harbor folks recently renovated it into a bar serving beer and wine, decked out with fun nautical decor, and have opened it to the public on Fridays. —John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 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

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