nautical

[naw-ti-kuhl, not-i-]

adjective

1. of or relating to sailors, ships, or navigation.

   nautical terms.

   Synonyms: seagoing, maritime, marine

nautical

/ ˈnɔːtɪkəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or involving ships, navigation, or sailors

Other Word Forms

• nautically adverb
• nauticality noun
• nonnautical adjective
• nonnautically adverb
• unnautical adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nautical¹

1545–55; < Latin nautic ( us ) pertaining to ships or sailors (< Greek nautikós, equivalent to naû ( s ) ship + -tikos -tic ) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of nautical¹

C16: from Latin nauticus, from Greek nautikos, from naus ship

Example Sentences

It looked like a ship’s wheel, a kitschy bit of decor you might see at a nautically themed bar.

From Los Angeles Times

Two weeks later, it sank, spilling its cargo and fuel into the sea around nine nautical miles off the country's south-west coast, between the capital Colombo and Negombo to the north.

From BBC

The power lines that the plane struck were about 90 feet above the ground and about 1.8 nautical miles away from the runway.

From Los Angeles Times

A blue-hued linoleum floor made to look like an aquarium, replete with singing fish and turtles, brightens the dark-wooded downstairs space and echoes the nautical elements Kesling introduced into his Streamline Moderne homes.

From Los Angeles Times

The Madleen yacht is 160 nautical miles from the Gaza Strip and is attempting to challenge Israel's naval blockade of the territory.

From BBC

Related Words

• maritime 
• navigational www.thesaurus.com
• seafaring