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

Wild North is billed as a nautical sci-fi action novel set in the Arctic in the future. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Nov. 2025

Shiver the Season Opulence is at the forefront with the Shiver the Season trend, which combines icy jewels, metallic accents, and nautical details for a glamorous, frosty look. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025

Downtown, colorful art galleries and boutiques are filled with coastal treasures from handmade jewelry to nautical prints and souvenirs. —Gabi De La Rosa, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025

Beyond looks, the 85 also performs, thanks to twin Volvo Penta IPS1350 engines that deliver a 27-knot top end and a 700-nautical-mile range. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 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