northerly
northerly Lexical Profile
northerly Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Situated, directed, or moving toward the north.
"The expedition continued on a northerly course across the frozen tundra."
Coming or blowing from the north (especially of wind or weather).
"A brisk northerly breeze brought a sudden drop in temperature along the coast."
• adverb
Toward the north, or from a northern direction.
"The river flows northerly for twenty miles before emptying into the bay."
• noun
A wind or storm that blows from the north.
"Sailors secured the rigging as a strong northerly swept across the harbor."
Word Nuance & Usage
When describing wind or weather, 'northerly' means coming from the north, whereas when describing travel or movement, it means moving toward the north.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Recorded from the early 16th century, modeled on Old Norse 'norðrlaegr' or formed directly from 'north' by analogy with 'easterly', 'westerly', and 'southerly'.