northward
C1Formal, literary, technical (geography, navigation)
Definition
Meaning
Towards or in the direction of the north.
Pertaining to the movement or orientation facing the northern direction. It can also describe a general trend or movement north.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily functions as an adverb or adjective. The form 'northwards' (with 's') is also common, especially in British English as an adverb. 'Northward' can imply both a static orientation and a path of movement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English strongly prefers the adverbial form 'northwards'. American English shows a slight preference for 'northward' for both adverb and adjective, though both forms are understood.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties. Often carries a formal, deliberate, or literary tone compared to simpler 'north'.
Frequency
Lower frequency than 'north' in both varieties. More common in written contexts than in casual speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + [verb of motion] + northward(s)a/an + northward + [noun]in a northward directionVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The northward march of... (e.g., progress, civilization, climate change)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Describing market expansion or demographic shifts (e.g., 'The company's northward expansion into Scotland was successful.')
Academic
Used in geography, history, and climate science to describe migration, glacier movement, or atmospheric flows.
Everyday
Used for giving or describing directions in a formal or precise manner (e.g., 'We drove northward for two hours.')
Technical
Common in navigation, meteorology (e.g., 'a northward-moving low-pressure system'), and geology.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adverb
British English
- The birds migrated northwards for the summer.
- They walked northwards along the coastal path.
American English
- The river flows northward into Canada.
- Population trends are moving northward.
adjective
British English
- The ship set a northward course from Liverpool.
- They observed a northward shift in bird populations.
American English
- The storm's northward track worried coastal communities.
- A northward journey across Alaska was planned.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The road goes northward.
- Look northward to see the mountains.
- We travelled northward for three hours.
- The wind is blowing northward today.
- The climate zone is shifting northward due to global warming.
- His career took a northward trajectory after the successful project.
- The army's northward advance was halted by the harsh winter.
- Geomagnetic data indicates a northward drift of the magnetic pole.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'NORTH' + 'towARD' = moving TOWARD the NORTH.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRESS IS A JOURNEY NORTHWARD (e.g., 'the northward march of technology'); COLD/CHALLENGE IS NORTHWARD ('facing a northward struggle').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating Russian 'на север' as 'on northward'. Use 'to/towards the north' or simply 'northward(s)'.
- Do not confuse with 'northern', which is an adjective for location (северный), not direction.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'northward' as a noun (e.g., 'the northward of the country' is incorrect).
- Overusing in casual speech where 'north' suffices (e.g., 'We went north' vs. overly formal 'We proceeded northward').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'northward' correctly as an adjective?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct, especially for the adverb. 'Northward' is used for both adjective and adverb in American English. British English often prefers 'northwards' for the adverb and 'northward' for the adjective, but it's not a strict rule.
It's grammatical but often sounds formal or literary. In casual speech, 'north', 'to the north', or 'up north' are more common.
'Northward' indicates direction or movement toward the north. 'Northerly' can mean 'from the north' (e.g., a northerly wind) or 'toward the north', but it's more often used for wind direction. 'Northward' is more specific to the path or orientation itself.
No, 'northward' is not a verb. It is only an adjective or adverb.