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
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Adjective or adverb
But from more northerly latitudes, the viewing circumstances are not so favorable. Joe Rao, Space.com, 1 May 2025 The Northern Lights may be visible in northern skies from 11 northerly U.S. states on Tuesday, March 25, with turbulent solar wind expected to arrive at Earth. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 25 Mar. 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 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Northerly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/northerly. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on northerly

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