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

Just ask Brooke Shields, who shared an Instagram photo with her pup aboard a boat last weekend in a perfectly nautical button-down shirt. —Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 28 June 2024

Curved architectural lines evoke an airy, yacht-like vibe without veering into nautical kitsch. —Paul Jebara, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2024

Over the past decade Dubai has strategically developed its amenities and services with the aim of creating a thriving nautical ecosystem. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 24 June 2024

Narrating her movements: emcee for the evening, Cara Delevingne, wearing a nautical look from Simone Rocha’s collaboration with Jean Paul Gaultier earlier this year. —Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 24 June 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