northerly

1 of 2

adjective or adverb

north·​er·​ly ˈnȯr-t͟hər-lē How to pronounce northerly (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective or adverb
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 The best chances to see the auroras would be in northern and northerly locations in the continental U.S. When will the northern lights be visible? Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 12 Sep. 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 See all Example Sentences for northerly 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of northerly was circa 1544

Dictionary Entries Near northerly

Cite this Entry

“Northerly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/northerly. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

northerly

1 of 2 adjective or adverb
north·​er·​ly ˈnȯr-t͟hər-lē How to pronounce northerly (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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