Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Coming from the north: Used especially to describe wind or weather conditions that originate in the north.
   • Situated in or oriented toward the north: Referring to a location or direction that faces or is positioned in the northern part.
   • Going in a northerly direction: Moving or heading toward the north.

2. Adverb:

   • In a northern direction: Moving, facing, or located toward the north.

3. Noun:

   • A wind that blows from the north: A wind whose source or direction is the north.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • A cold northerly wind brought a sudden drop in temperature.
  • We sailed along the northerly coast of the island.
  • The expedition continued in a northerly direction.

• Adverb:

  • The migrating birds flew northerly for the summer.
  • To reach the capital, proceed northerly along this road.

• Noun:

  • A strong northerly is expected to arrive by evening, bringing cooler air.

Advanced Usage

• "to take a northerly course": to set a path or route that goes toward the north.

  • The ship took a northerly course to avoid the storm.

• "a northerly aspect": a position or side of a building, hill, etc., that faces north.

  • The garden has a northerly aspect, so it gets less direct sunlight.

Variants and Related Words

• Northern (adj): Relating to or characteristic of the north.

  • The northern hemisphere experiences winter in December.

• Northward (adv, adj): Toward the north.

  • They traveled northward for two days.

Synonyms

• North (adj, adv): Situated in or moving toward the north.
• Boreal (adj, formal): Of the north or northern regions.
• Arctic (adj, often capitalized): Pertaining to the extreme north; very cold.

Related Phrases

• Northerly breeze: A light wind coming from the north.

  • A pleasant northerly breeze made the afternoon very comfortable.

• Northerly flow: A movement of air or water from the north.

  • The weather map shows a northerly flow of air over the region.

Adjective

1. coming from the north; used especially of wind
   • the north wind doth blow
   • a northern snowstorm
   • the winds are northerly
2. situated in or oriented toward the north
   • the northern suburbs
   • going in a northerly direction

Adverb

1. in a northern direction
   • they earn more up north
   • Let's go north!

Noun

1. a wind that blows from the north