How to pronounce nautical
Say it like NAW-tuh-kul. Nautical has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NAW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce nautical. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- NAW
- tuh
- kul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Nautical pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- NAWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of nautical
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: NAW-tih-kul.
What does nautical mean?
- Of, relating to, or characteristic of sailing, sailors, or the sea.“I was mostly unfamiliar with the nautical terms used in the sailing documentary.”
Where does nautical come from?
From Middle French nautique (“of or relating to sailors or navigation”) or its etymon, Classical Latin nauticus (“of or relating to ships, seafaring”), + -al (adjectival suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying nautical
How do you pronounce nautical?
Say NAW-tuh-kul. The American pronunciation is /ˈnɔtəkəl/. In British English it is /ˈnɔːtɪkəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in nautical?
Nautical has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (NAW). Broken into parts: NAW · tuh · kul.
Is nautical pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈnɔːtɪkəl/ (NAW-tih-kul).