noun
nautilus
NAW-tih-luhs
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.”
noun
1
A sea mollusk with tentacles and a spiral shell divided into air-filled chambers.
"Nautilidan cephalopods, represented today by the six living species of nautilus are thought to have diverged from other nautiloids in the Devonian period."
— Mark Carnall, I, for one, welcome our new cephalopod overlords ... but what are they? (2016)
"He was still prepared to go on collecting all that life could offer, like a chambered nautilus patiently adding new cells to its slowly expanding spiral."
— Arthur C. Clarke, The City and the Stars (1956)
"Living species of the externally shelled nautiluses do not possess an ink sac."
— Mark Carnall, Why do cephalopods produce ink? And what's ink made of, anyway? (2017)
"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.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like nautilus.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- nautiluses, nautili
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
View more →
argonaut
chambered nautilus
Related words
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.
