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

Nothing screams summer like nautical stripes. — Genevieve Cepeda, InStyle, 26 June 2026

The accompanying bathroom sports a double vanity, a soaking tub, and a porthole window that reflects the nautical setting. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 June 2026

At fan gatherings, drones are barred within a 1-nautical-mile radius and up to 1,000 feet above ground level. — Reuters, NBC news, 23 June 2026

The parade marchers dressed in a sea of fishnets, glitter, metallic scales, and neon wigs, but the crowd similarly brought their nautical A-game. — Amir Hamja, Vogue, 22 June 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