north-northeast
B1/B2Technical/Descriptive
Definition
Meaning
The compass point or direction midway between north and northeast.
A precise directional point on a 32-point compass rose (specifically NNE), used for navigation, meteorology, and describing wind or movement direction.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A compound cardinal direction. In modern usage, 'north-northeast' (NNE) is a standard term in meteorology, aviation, and maritime contexts. Its meaning is precise: 22.5° clockwise from true north. It is often used attributively, e.g., 'a north-northeast wind'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both use the same 32-point compass system. Occasionally, abbreviations like 'NNE' might be preferred in some technical US manuals, but the full term is standard in both varieties.
Connotations
Technical and precise, associated with navigation, weather reporting, and geography. No cultural or regional connotative differences.
Frequency
Low in everyday conversation. Higher frequency in weather forecasts, sailing, aviation, and hiking contexts in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The wind is FROM the north-northeast.We set a course FOR north-northeast.It lies TO the north-northeast OF the city.A north-northeast WIND.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(To be) pointed north-northeast (figuratively: to be very determined or focused on a goal).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in logistics or shipping reports, e.g., 'The storm is tracking north-northeast, potentially impacting supply chains.'
Academic
Used in geography, meteorology, and environmental science papers to describe precise wind patterns, ocean currents, or geological formations.
Everyday
Very low frequency. Most likely in weather forecasts or giving approximate directions, e.g., 'The town is roughly north-northeast of here.'
Technical
Standard term in maritime navigation, aviation, meteorology, and surveying. Used in charts, logs, and technical briefings.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adverb
British English
- The weather front is moving north-northeast at 15 knots.
- We sailed north-northeast for most of the day.
American English
- The storm continued tracking north-northeast toward the coast.
- Head north-northeast from the trail marker for about a mile.
adjective
British English
- We encountered a strong north-northeast gale in the Channel.
- The map showed a north-northeast magnetic variation.
American English
- A cold north-northeast wind is expected in New England tonight.
- Follow the north-northeast ridge line to the summit.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The wind is from the north-northeast today.
- To reach the lake, hike north-northeast from the main cabin.
- The forecast predicts a north-northeast wind tomorrow.
- Setting a bearing of north-northeast, the expedition aimed for the unmapped valley.
- The coastal current flows predominantly north-northeast along this shore.
- Meteorologists noted the low-pressure system was advecting moisture on a north-northeast trajectory, contrary to the seasonal norm.
- The architect oriented the building's long axis north-northeast to maximize passive solar gain in winter.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a clock face where North is 12 o'clock. Northeast is at 1:30. North-Northeast is halfway between 12 and 1:30, so it's at 12:45.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIRECTION IS A POINT ON A COMPASS. LIFE'S JOURNEY IS A COURSE (e.g., 'He set his moral compass north-northeast and never wavered').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'северо-северо-восток' in informal contexts; Russians typically use the simpler 'на северо-восток' (northeast) unless extreme precision is required in navigation or meteorology.
- The hyphenated compound structure (north-northeast) is more systematic than Russian's occasional use of separate words or abbreviations.
Common Mistakes
- Writing it as 'north northeast' without the hyphen (the hyphen is standard for compound points).
- Confusing it with 'northeast by north' (a different, less common point).
- Using it in everyday speech where a simpler direction like 'northeast' would suffice.
Practice
Quiz
In a standard 32-point compass, what is the angular measurement of 'north-northeast' from true north?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. They are different points on a detailed compass. 'North-northeast' (NNE) is 22.5° from north. 'Northeast by north' (NEbN) is 33.75° from north. The 'by' construction is older and less common than the hyphenated compound.
It is most commonly abbreviated as 'NNE' in technical writing, on maps, and in weather reports.
You would use it when greater precision is needed, typically in navigation, aviation, sailing, meteorology, or giving very specific land-based directions. In casual conversation, 'northeast' is almost always sufficient.
In standard meteorological and maritime usage, a 'north-northeast wind' means the wind is blowing FROM the north-northeast. So, if you face a north-northeast wind, it is hitting your face, and its source is behind you at the NNE point.