What does northeastward mean?
Northeastward is an adverb meaning toward the northeast. It is especially common in geographical, navigational, and descriptive contexts, where it identifies the general direction of movement rather than a precise bearing: a plane may travel northeastward, a road may extend northeastward, or a region may lie northeastward from a city. The word combines “northeast” with the suffix “-ward,” which gives direction and is also found in words such as northward, eastward, and westward. Although “toward the northeast” is more familiar in everyday conversation, “northeastward” is useful when a writer wants a compact, formal, or literary expression. It can also function adjectivally before a noun, as in “a northeastward course.”
Toward the northeast.
"The hikers continued northeastward through the hills."
Common in formal geographical and descriptive writing; “toward the northeast” is more natural in everyday speech.
Directed toward the northeast.
"The plane maintained a northeastward heading."
Less common than the adverb and chiefly used in descriptive or navigational contexts.
Add “-ward” to a direction and it becomes an instruction to travel toward it: northeastward means toward the northeast.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does northeastward come from?
Northeastward is formed from “northeast” and the Old English-derived suffix “-ward,” meaning “in the direction of.” The directional element “northeast” combines “north” and “east,” words of Germanic origin that refer to the corresponding directions. The suffix appears in several parallel English adverbs, including northward, eastward, and westward, as well as in forms such as southwestward.
Related word forms
How northeastward is actually used
The adverb is chiefly used in writing or formal descriptions of movement and geography. In everyday speech, “toward the northeast” is more common.
Easily confused with northeastward
“Northeast” names a direction or region, while “northeastward” describes movement toward that direction.