What does northwards mean?
Northwards is an adverb meaning toward the north. It is used to describe the direction of movement, travel, orientation, or development, as in a journey northwards or a road leading northwards. The word is familiar in British and US English and can sound more literary or traditional than the shorter northward, but the two are closely related in meaning. Northwards is also used in the expression “northwards of” to indicate a position on the northern side of a place or feature. In ordinary speech, phrases such as “up north” may be used instead, especially when the direction is being discussed informally. Its usefulness lies in making direction explicit and precise while retaining a polished, descriptive tone.
adverbToward or in the direction of the north. It is especially used when describing movement, travel, or the orientation of something.
- Toward the north, especially in terms of movement or direction.
"The ship sailed steadily northwards through the calm sea."
"The plane turned northwards before beginning its descent."
"Over the years, the settlement expanded slowly northwards."
The word northwards points the way on a map, but it is also a traditional literary way of describing movement toward the northern horizon.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does northwards come from?
Northwards is formed from the Old English word north, which referred to the direction associated with the pole or the northern part of the world. The adverbial ending -wards developed within Middle English and expresses movement toward a particular direction. Related forms include northward, northern, and northerly, while the same directional root appears in words such as northeast and northwest.
Related word forms
How northwards is actually used
Northwards is standard in British and US English. It is somewhat more formal or literary than northward, although both forms are widely understood. It is also used before a point of reference in constructions such as “northwards of the city.”
Easily confused with northwards
Northwards is an adverb describing direction, while northward can be used as an adjective, as in a northward direction.