northerly

[ nawr-ther-lee ]

adjective

1. moving, directed, or situated toward the north.
2. (especially of a wind) coming from the north:

   a northerly gale.

adverb

1. toward the north.
2. from the north.

noun

, plural north·er·lies.

1. a wind that blows from the north.

northerly

/ ˈnɔːðəlɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or situated in the north

adverb

1. towards or in the direction of the north
2. from the north

   a northerly wind

noun

1. a wind from the north

Derived Forms

• ˈnortherliness, noun

Other Words From

• norther·li·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of northerly¹

1545–55; north + -erly, modeled on easterly

Example Sentences

Then, some subset of travelers departed in a northerly direction while the others departed in a southerly direction.

From FiveThirtyEight

It’s because any water spilled into the northerly-flowing river’s 1,750-square-mile watershed eventually empties out through that small river mouth just south of the Imperial Beach pier.

From Voice of San Diego

We have a northerly aspect, so our snow is preserved, and we have modern snowmaking.

From Outside Online

Light to moderate northerly breezes near 10 mph would gust near 20 mph midday into the midafternoon hours.

From Washington Post

The most northerly sites were in the Orkney Islands, north of Scotland.

From Science News For Students

Between this and the Channel we were delayed by a succession of northerly winds.

From Project Gutenberg

The river then trends in a northerly direction for seven miles, without any sinuosity of consequence.

From Project Gutenberg

Adiutrix for work elsewhere, it recalled both governor and legion, and gave up the more northerly of his nominal conquests.

From Project Gutenberg

AS the wolf is a native of cold climates, he must have passed northerly into America, since he is met with in both continents.

From Project Gutenberg

Accomentas, a band, or division of the Pawtucket Indians inhabiting the northerly part of Massachusetts in 1674.

From Project Gutenberg