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

The nautical cardigan The preppy trend is riding high for fall 2025, which means injecting a bit of knitwear with nautical notes into your everyday wear only makes sense. —Kristina Rutkowski, Glamour, 3 Sep. 2025

Twin Oast Catawba Island, Ohio Businesses on Catawaba Island tend to lean nautical in their design, but Twin Oast literally draws from its 60-acre farm. —Kate Bernot, Outside, 29 Aug. 2025

The nautical term refers to a vessel taking on water and tilting to one side as a result. —Colson Thayer, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025

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