nautilus
Nautilus (noun) means a sea mollusk with tentacles and a spiral shell divided into air-filled chambers. Example: “The chambered nautilus is often used as a symbol of natural growth and proportion.”
How to use nautilus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA spiral-shelled sea creature related to squid and octopuses.
Word forms
nautiluses plural, nautili plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The chambered _____ is often used as a symbol of natural growth and proportion.
Etymology
From Latin nautilus, from Greek nautilos, "sailor" — the shell's tentacled opening reminded people of a sailor rowing a boat.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “nautilus” mean?
The word “nautilus” means a sea mollusk with tentacles and a spiral shell divided into air-filled chambers. In plain terms, a spiral-shelled sea creature related to squid and octopuses.
How do you pronounce “nautilus”?
“Nautilus” is pronounced NAW-tih-luhs (/ˈnɔ.tɪ.ləs/ in IPA).
How do you use “nautilus” in a sentence?
Here is “nautilus” used in a sentence: “The chambered nautilus is often used as a symbol of natural growth and proportion.”
What is another word for “nautilus”?
Words with a similar meaning to “nautilus” include chambered nautilus.
What part of speech is “nautilus”?
“Nautilus” is a noun.
Where does the word “nautilus” come from?
The word “nautilus” comes from Latin. From Latin nautilus, from Greek nautilos, "sailor" — the shell's tentacled opening reminded people of a sailor rowing a boat.