What does northwest mean?
Northwest names the direction halfway between north and west on a compass. It can function as a noun, as when a place is described as being to the northwest of a city; as an adjective, when it characterizes a region, institution, tradition, or direction; and as an adverb, when it describes movement in that direction. The word is also used more broadly for a northwestern part of a country or continent, especially in references to the American Northwest. In British English, "northwest" is the usual closed form, although "north-west" remains common in some styles and contexts. Its directional sense is clear and neutral, while its geographical use may carry historical, cultural, or political associations depending on the region being discussed. The word is especially useful because it specifies the diagonal direction that the separate terms "north" and "west" only imply when combined.
The direction lying between north and west, or a region situated in that direction.
"Snow is expected in the northwest tomorrow morning."
As a geographical region, it may be capitalized when it refers to a formally recognized area, as in "the Pacific Northwest."
Located in, belonging to, or characteristic of the northwest.
"The ferry provides direct access to the northwestern islands."
The adjective can describe a place, direction, institution, or distinctive cultural tradition.
Toward the direction between north and west.
"After leaving the highway, they drove northwest for another twenty miles."
The plural is uncommon and is used chiefly for separate northwestern regions or directions, rather than for the compass direction itself.
"The map distinguishes the northwests of the two countries."
Northwest is not merely west with a northern flourish: on a compass rose it occupies the exact diagonal quarter between north and west.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does northwest come from?
The word developed from Old English norðwest, a compound of norð, meaning "north," and west, meaning "west." The directional meaning is ancient, but the compound was also used historically for northwestern places and peoples. Modern forms such as northwestern and northwestward continued this compounding pattern, while parallel words including northeast, southeast, and southwest followed the same construction.
Related word forms
How northwest is actually used
The word is standard in British, American, and other English varieties. When referring to a broad region, it may be written as one word, as in "the Northwest," or as two words in less formal or more geographically precise usage, as in "the north-west of Scotland." As an adverb, it normally expresses direction rather than duration.
Easily confused with northwest
Northwest lies between north and west, whereas northeast lies between north and east.
Northwest lies between north and west, whereas southwest lies between south and west.