What does northerly mean?
Northerly is an English word most often used as an adjective for a direction, position, or wind associated with the north. As an adjective, it can indicate movement toward the north, as in “a northerly course,” or describe a wind arriving from that direction, as in “a northerly breeze.” Context determines which direction is meant, and meteorological convention names a wind by the point from which it blows. The noun “northerly,” less often used on its own, means a northerly wind; its plural is “northerlies.” Northerly is established in both British and American English and carries no marked social or emotional connotation. It is more specific than the broader “northern,” which describes the northern part of a country, continent, or region rather than a direction or a wind. Although simple in meaning, the word is useful because it names a standard directional distinction and captures the familiar character of winds and travel coming from or heading toward the north.
Toward the north, coming from the north, or otherwise relating to the north.
"The plane turned onto a northerly heading."
With a wind, northerly describes a wind coming from the north; with a course or direction, it means toward the north.
A wind that blows from the north.
"Strong northerlies made sailing along the coast hazardous."
The noun is less common than the adjective and is usually encountered in meteorological or maritime contexts.
The plural of the noun meaning a wind blowing from the north.
"Powerful northerlies battered the harbor."
A northerly wind blows from the north; a northerly course heads toward it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does northerly come from?
Northerly belongs to the English north word-family. Its base noun, north, descends from Old English norþ, while the related adjective northern comes from Old English norþerne. Northerly was formed in English from this base with a directional suffix, in parallel with southerly, and was later also used as a noun for a wind blowing from the north.
Related word forms
How northerly is actually used
In British and American English, northerly is formal but unremarkable and carries no derogatory connotation. In meteorological usage, a northerly is a wind coming from the north; context distinguishes this from a northerly direction or course, which points toward the north.
Easily confused with northerly
Northerly describes a direction, a wind, or movement associated with the north, whereas northern describes the northern part of a country, continent, or region.