nautical

adjective

nau·​ti·​cal ˈnȯ-ti-kəl How to pronounce nautical (audio)
ˈnä-
Synonyms of nautical
: 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 How to pronounce nautical (audio)
ˈnä-
adverb

Synonyms of nautical

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Examples of nautical in a Sentence

a dictionary of nautical terms collected sextants and other antique nautical equipment
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The decor hits just the right amount of nautical; soothing blues and greens abound, as do a mix of textures and prints that feel right at home in the New England setting. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026 The Federal Aviation Administration imposed a temporary flight restriction covering a 15-nautical-mile radius around the facility, extending up to 10,000 feet above sea level, according to local media reports. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026 Leoal caught my eye with its delicate knitwear and effortless femininity, while Tadzio Reverie offered a fresh, poetic take on nautical dressing. — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026 Working again with the vast Northeastern producer group $$$–almost all of whom are individually credited on, like, every track–Bank$ and his preacher friend talk to God over spare keys and groaning nautical machinery. — Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nautical

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of nautical was in 1552

Phrases Containing nautical

Rhymes for nautical

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Browse Nearby Words

nauther
nautical
nautical astronomy
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Cite this Entry

“Nautical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nautical. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

nautical

adjective
nau·​ti·​cal ˈnȯt-i-kəl How to pronounce nautical (audio)
ˈnät-
: of or relating to sailors, navigation, or ships
nautically
-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce nautical (audio)
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

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