What does northwesterly mean?
Northwesterly is an English word used primarily for movement or direction toward the northwest and for winds that blow from that quarter. In a geographical sentence, it may describe a route, journey, or orientation: the aircraft turned in a northwesterly direction. In weather reporting, a northwesterly is a wind coming from the northwest, often associated with cool or unsettled conditions depending on the region and season. The word combines the directional elements north and west with the suffix -erly, which is also found in related forms such as westerly and easterly. Although northwestern is broader and more common when describing a region, northwesterly has a more specific association with direction and especially wind. Its plural noun form, northwesterlies, is standard in meteorological and general usage.
Moving or directed toward the northwest, or blowing from the northwest.
"A northwesterly gale battered the harbor."
The description of a wind usually implies that the wind comes from the northwest.
In a direction toward the northwest.
"The river flows northwesterly through the valley."
A wind blowing from the northwest.
"The northwesterly brought cold air across the mountains."
The plural is standard when referring to winds, especially in weather forecasts.
"Strong northwesterlies are expected throughout the week."
The word points northwest twice: a northwesterly wind both comes from and often drives weather across the northwestern skies.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does northwesterly come from?
The word is formed from north and west together with the suffix -erly, a productive ending associated with direction and wind, as in westerly and easterly. Its development follows the older English directional pattern represented by northward, westward, and their corresponding adjectival forms. The modern form has been established in English for several centuries, particularly in descriptions of winds and directions.
Related word forms
How northwesterly is actually used
The adjective is especially common in meteorological contexts, where it describes a wind coming from the northwest. In general geographical description, northwestern is often more usual. The noun is usually encountered in the plural form northwesterlies.
Easily confused with northwesterly
A northwesterly describes a direction or a wind from the northwest, whereas a northwester is a person or vessel from that region.
Northwestern commonly describes a region, place, or direction associated with the northwest, while northwesterly is especially used for movement toward the northwest or a wind blowing from it.