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

Delamar Hotels owner Charles Mallory’s shipbuilding lineage began in Mystic more than two centuries ago, and the nautical nods run throughout the hotel. —Cameron Sperance, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026

Consider giving the décor a slight nautical touch, and define the dining area with charming string lights to give your evening a perfect glow as the sun sets. —Shelby Wax, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2026

The restrictions prohibit all forms of aircraft from operating within a three nautical-mile radius of those stadiums. —Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026

Flip on the gas, though, and a pair of Caterpillar C32 engines allow Marsa Luna to hit a max speed of 16 knots and a 4,500-nautical-mile range. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 30 Jan. 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