north west
B1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
The point or direction on a compass halfway between north and west.
A region lying in this direction from a central point. Also used as a proper noun (Northwest) to denote a specific geographical area of a country (e.g., the Pacific Northwest of the USA).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically written as 'northwest' as a single compound word in modern usage (adjective, adverb, noun). The hyphenated or two-word form is less common but acceptable, especially as a compass point. Capitalized when referring to a specific region (e.g., the Northwest).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily spelling: UK often accepts hyphenation (north-west) more readily than US, where single-word 'northwest' is dominant. In US, 'Northwest' as a proper noun strongly refers to the Pacific Northwest region.
Connotations
In UK, 'the North West' often refers to the specific region of England (Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester). In US, 'the Northwest' typically evokes images of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
Frequency
Very high in both varieties due to geographical description and regional naming.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Location/Subject] + [be/lie/situate] + [X miles] + [to the] northwest + [of + reference point]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go northwest (slang, rare: to behave illogically or crazily, from 'go north' variations)”
- “the Northwest Passage (historical sea route)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to regional markets or offices, e.g., 'Our Northwest division outperformed expectations.'
Academic
Used in geography, history, and environmental studies to describe location, climate patterns, or historical regions.
Everyday
Used for giving directions, describing weather (a northwest wind), or talking about regions.
Technical
In navigation (bearing 315°), meteorology (wind direction), and cartography.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The storm is expected to northwest across the Highlands overnight.
American English
- The front will northwest into the Plains by Tuesday.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The wind comes from the northwest.
- Manchester is in the North West of England.
- We are travelling northwest to reach the coast.
- It's colder in the northwest part of the country.
- The company is expanding its operations in the Pacific Northwest.
- A strong northwesterly gale is forecast for the shipping lanes.
- The geopolitical significance of the Northwest Passage has increased due to Arctic ice melt.
- His research focuses on the dialectal variations found in the North West Midlands.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a clock face: 12 is North, 9 is West. The direction exactly between them (at 10:30) is Northwest.
Conceptual Metaphor
NORTHWEST IS A REGION / NORTHWEST IS A SOURCE (e.g., 'a cold northwest wind blew in').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'северо-западный' for every use; in English, it's often a proper noun for a region (capitalized).
- In Russian, the hyphen in 'северо-запад' is mandatory; in English, the single-word form is more common.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect capitalization: writing 'I live in the north west' when referring to a specific region (should be 'North West' or 'Northwest').
- Writing as two separate words without a hyphen is increasingly seen as an error; 'northwest' is the standard compound form.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'Northwest' correctly capitalized?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct, but the single-word form 'northwest' is more common and preferred in modern American English. The hyphenated form is more frequently seen in British English.
Capitalize it when it is part of a proper noun for a recognized region, like 'the Pacific Northwest', 'the North West of England', or 'Northwest Territories'. Do not capitalize when simply giving a direction (e.g., 'head northwest').
Yes, but it's specialized and rare, used primarily in meteorology or navigation to mean 'to move toward the northwest'. In everyday language, phrases like 'go northwest' or 'travel northwest' are more natural.
The direct compass point antonym is 'southeast'. In terms of regional opposites, it would depend on context (e.g., the Southeast of a country).