northerly
B2Neutral to Formal
Definition
Meaning
Situated in, facing, or moving towards the north.
Coming from the north (especially of a wind). Also used to describe a direction, route, or general position relative to the north.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Functions as both an adjective and an adverb (directionally). When used as a noun, it typically refers to a wind blowing from the north.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. 'Northerly' is slightly more frequent in British weather reporting (e.g., 'a northerly wind'). Americans may marginally prefer 'northern' for static position, but both are standard.
Connotations
In both, carries connotations of cold, direction, and navigation. In sailing/maritime contexts, it is a precise directional term.
Frequency
More common in geographical, meteorological, and navigational contexts than in everyday speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
ADJ + N (northerly wind)ADV + V (move northerly)PREP + ADJ (in a northerly direction)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “take a northerly tack (to change strategy/direction)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in logistics ('northerly distribution routes').
Academic
Common in geography, climatology, and environmental sciences.
Everyday
Mostly in weather forecasts or giving directions.
Technical
Essential in navigation (aviation, sailing), meteorology, and surveying.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adverb
British English
- The birds migrated northerly for the summer.
- Proceed northerly along the footpath for two miles.
American English
- The storm system is moving northerly along the coast.
- Drive northerly on I-95 until you reach the exit.
adjective
British English
- We set off on a northerly course across the moor.
- A strong northerly wind brought sleet to the coasts.
American English
- They hiked through the northerly reaches of the state park.
- A cold northerly front will lower temperatures tomorrow.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The wind is northerly today.
- They walked in a northerly direction.
- We changed to a more northerly route to avoid the traffic.
- A northerly breeze made the evening quite cool.
- The plane adjusted its bearing to a more northerly track due to air traffic control instructions.
- Historical records show a shift in trade winds to a more northerly flow.
- The expedition's northerly advance was hampered by the early onset of pack ice.
- Geopolitical analysts noted the nation's increasingly northerly strategic focus.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a compass needle pointing to the 'North' and then add '-erly' to mean 'in that direction'.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIRECTION IS A FORCE (e.g., 'pushed in a northerly direction').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'северный' (northern) when 'northerly' is used as an adverb (двигаться на север).
- The noun for a wind is 'ветер с севера', not a direct cognate.
- Avoid using 'нордерли' – it is not a Russian word.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'northerly' as a noun for a person from the north (use 'northerner').
- Confusing 'northerly' (direction) with 'northern' (general region).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'northerly' most commonly used as a noun?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'North' is a cardinal point. 'Northerly' describes direction towards the north, movement from the north, or position relative to the north. It's more specific.
Not directly. A person from the north is a 'northerner'. Using 'northerly' for a person is incorrect and unnatural.
'Northern' is a general adjective for things belonging to the north (northern hemisphere, northern accent). 'Northerly' is more about direction or origin of movement (northerly wind, heading northerly).
It is pronounced as the voiced 'th' sound /ð/ (as in 'the', 'father'), not the voiceless /θ/ (as in 'thing').