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

Candytuft is evergreen in warm Southern climes, but looses its foliage in cold northerly locations. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025

As a result, the lunar disk rises at a more northerly point on the horizon and soars higher than usual in the autumn sky. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 3 Dec. 2025

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