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

The interiors are a paean to nautical good taste, decked with antique oil portraits, brass chandeliers, and white wainscotting. —Jo Rodgers, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2024

The locking pins on the hinges feature Bang & Olufsen’s logo, as well as a pop of aquamarine blue that nods to the nautical nature of the collab. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2024

Sheer curtains cover the windows, which look out on the building next door rather than the wharf itself, and the theme is much more timeless elegance than nautical transportation. —Jeanne O'Brien Coffey, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

For years, the duo has been collecting historical documents that mention oysters, such as nautical charts, government fisheries reports, newspaper articles, and scientific papers dating back to the 1700s. —Byerik Stokstad, science.org, 3 Oct. 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