west-northwest

[ west-nawrth-west; Nautical west-nawr-west ]

noun

1. a point on the compass midway between west and northwest.

adjective

1. coming from this point:

   a west-northwest wind.

2. directed toward this point:

   a west-northwest course.

adverb

1. toward this point: : WNW

   sailing west-northwest.

west-northwest

noun

1. the point on the compass or the direction midway between west and northwest, 292° 30′ clockwise from north

adjective

1. in, from, or towards this direction

Word History and Origins

Origin of west-northwest¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

The storm is currently centered 130 miles west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico.

From Salon

It was moving west-northwest at about 7 miles per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 96 miles per hour and gusts of about 118 m.p.h., the weather agency said.

From New York Times

It was moving west-northwest at about 7 miles an hour, with a maximum sustained wind speed of 89 miles per hour and gusts of 112 m.p.h., the weather agency said.

From New York Times

The storm formed 270 miles south-southwest from San Juan, P.R., and was moving west-northwest at 14 m.p.h.

From New York Times

"Very tough days ahead – with two days of northwest to west-northwest winds on Friday and Saturday, which would push fire towards Yellowknife," the territorial fire service said in a statement on Facebook.

From Reuters