northwestward
LowFormal, Technical, Literary, Geographic
Definition
Meaning
Towards the northwest direction.
Moving, facing, or situated in the direction that is midway between north and west. Can also refer to the northwestern part of a region.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as an adverb or adjective to indicate direction. Less common than 'northwestwards' (chiefly British) or simply 'northwest' as an adverb.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English slightly prefers the suffixed form 'northwestwards' as an adverb. American English uses 'northwestward' equally for adjective and adverb, and 'northwest' is also common as an adverb.
Connotations
Slightly more formal or precise than 'northwest'. Often found in navigation, meteorology, historical, or literary contexts.
Frequency
Overall low frequency. More likely in written technical or descriptive prose than in everyday speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + verb of motion + northwestwardin a + northwestward + directionThe + [noun] + is/are + northwestwardVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The empire's northwestward march continued for decades.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in logistics or market expansion reports (e.g., 'The company is looking northwestward for new opportunities.').
Academic
Common in geography, history, geology, and environmental sciences to describe movement, migration, or flow patterns.
Everyday
Very rare. Most speakers would say 'towards the northwest' or simply 'northwest'.
Technical
Standard in meteorology (storm track), aviation (heading), sailing, and military/strategic planning.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The front is expected to advance northwestward overnight.
- They decided to strike northwestward into enemy territory.
American English
- The storm system will track northwestward towards the coast.
- Pioneers pushed northwestward along the river valley.
adverb
British English
- The birds migrate northwestwards each spring. (Note: 'northwestwards' is common BrE variant)
- The road curves gently northwestward for several miles.
American English
- The highway continues northwestward for another fifty miles.
- The glacier has been receding northwestward due to unusual warming.
adjective
British English
- They set off on a northwestward trek across the Highlands.
- A gradual northwestward shift in trade winds was observed.
American English
- The plane's northwestward flight path took it over the mountains.
- He charted a northwestward course for the expedition.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Look at the map. We need to go northwestward to reach the lake.
- The wind is blowing northwestward today.
- The weather front is moving northwestward, bringing cooler air with it.
- Historical records show a northwestward expansion of the settlement over fifty years.
- The migratory pattern exhibits a distinct northwestward vector during the autumn months.
- Geopolitical tensions have spurred a northwestward reorientation of the country's strategic alliances.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'The word WARD is like a guard pointing the WAY. North-West-WARD points the way to the northwest.'
Conceptual Metaphor
DIRECTION IS A PATH / JOURNEY (e.g., 'pushing northwestward', 'a northwestward advance').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque from Russian directional constructions. Use 'to/towards the northwest' or 'in a northwesterly direction' for clarity in everyday contexts.
- The '-ward' suffix corresponds to the Russian directional suffix '-ую' (на северо-запад -> northwestward), but English usage is more restricted to formal/literary styles.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'northwestwardly' (redundant; 'northwestward' is already an adverb).
- Using it in casual conversation where 'northwest' would suffice.
- Confusing it with 'northwesterly' (which can also describe a wind coming FROM the northwest).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'northwestward' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. As an adjective: 'a northwestward direction'. As an adverb: 'traveling northwestward'.
'Northwestward' indicates direction toward the northwest. 'Northwesterly' can also mean toward the northwest but more commonly describes something originating FROM the northwest, especially a wind (a northwesterly gale). 'Northwesterly' is also used for general direction.
Yes, particularly in British English. 'Northwestwards' functions solely as an adverb and is interchangeable with the adverbial use of 'northwestward'. American English uses 'northwestward' for both adjective and adverb more consistently.
Often, yes, especially in everyday language. 'We sailed northwest.' However, for precise technical writing or to emphasize the directional path, 'northwestward' can be preferable.