northerly

1 of 2

adjective or adverb

north·​er·​ly ˈnȯr-t͟hər-lē 

1

: situated toward or belonging to the north

the northerly border

2

: coming from the north

a northerly wind

northerly

2 of 2

noun

plural northerlies

: a wind from the north

Examples of northerly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective or adverb

Strong northerly winds are expected to reach up to 33 mph throughout Wednesday until Thursday morning. —Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American-Statesman, 25 Feb. 2024

More From Newsweek Vault: Online Banks vs. Traditional Banks: Learn the Differences In Montana, snow is expected in Little Belt and the Highwood mountains, with total snow accumulations of 24 inches expected in northerly upslope favored areas, with wind gusts possibly getting up to 55 mph. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

Noun

Only the strongest swimmers should consider cliff diving into the sea, which can become rough when northerlies blow through. —Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective or adverb

north entry 3 + -erly (as in easterly)

First Known Use

Adjective Or Adverb

circa 1544, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1895, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

northerly

1 of 2 adjective or adverb

north·​er·​ly ˈnȯr-t͟hər-lē 

1

: placed or lying toward the north

the northerly border

2

: coming from the north

a northerly wind

northerly

2 of 2 noun

plural northerlies

: a wind from the north