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

No two rooms look the same beyond the nautical color palette, and all have thoughtful touches designed to assuage frequent traveler headaches, including wireless charging pads embedded in the nightstands. —Robin Allison Davis, Travel + Leisure, 24 Sep. 2024

Sailor might be a background that a player takes for a character but most Dungeon Masters will assume the old salt has long since been retired from the sea. Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition has taken on a nautical theme for two books during its run. —Rob Wieland, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024

Take to the water with a seat aboard Sip n’ Sail Cruises to enjoy live music and a nautical sunset — plus, panoramic views of the island from afar. —Nicole Schnitzler, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2024

The Tommy Hilfiger runway show, held on a decommission Staten Island Ferry famously owned by Pete Davidson and Colin Jost, also brought out stars dressed in classic denim to match the location’s nautical theme. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 17 Sep. 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