northeasterly

American  

[nawrth-ee-ster-lee, nawr-ee-ster-lee] / ˌnɔrθˈi stər li, ˌnɔrˈi stər li /

adjective

1. of or located in the northeast.

2. toward or from the northeast.

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adverb

1. toward or from the northeast.

northeasterly British  

/ ˌnɔːθˈiːstəlɪ, ˌnɔːrˈiːstəlɪ /

adjective

1. in, towards, or (esp of a wind) from the northeast

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noun

1. a wind or storm from the northeast

Etymology

Origin of northeasterly

First recorded in 1730–40; north + easterly

Example Sentences

And a strong north to northeasterly wind will develop later on Saturday into Sunday, especially in eastern England where gusts of up to 50-60mph are possible.

From BBC • Nov. 27, 2025

This morning, I walked outside to temps in the mid-70’s and a sweet northeasterly breeze.

From Salon • Sep. 12, 2024

Investigators said the boat then traveled in a northeasterly direction, stopping in Hafendorf Wiek, or “Wiek harbor village,” on the northernmost part of Rügen island.

From Washington Post • Apr. 3, 2023

Some haze and smoke are possible from the still-burning Bolt Creek fire when the wind shifts slightly to northeasterly, but neither are expected to reach surface level, Cullen said.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 19, 2022

With a catbird diving at us to chase us away from his nest, we leave the mountaintop on a northeasterly course.

From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George