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

That now includes everything from prodigious plant life to year-round Christmas lights to nautical trinkets, funky decorations, a huge wine list and a healthy dose of Jimmy Buffett. —Jonathan Shikes, The Denver Post, 17 June 2024

The design and nautical worlds have come together like never before over the last few years. —Sofia Celeste, WWD, 16 June 2024

As Fleet Week descends on the city this Memorial Day weekend, some noteworthy events have a nautical feel; such as a Statue of Liberty cruise and the world premiere of a multimedia dance event aboard a historic cargo ship. —Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 23 May 2024

Enjoy The View At Surf Side At the Surf Side Hotel, all of the rooms are decorated in easygoing nautical style and have a private balcony (some even have two). —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 5 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