northwesterly

[ nawrth-wes-ter-lee; Nautical nawr-wes-ter-lee ]

adjective

1. toward or from the northwest.

northwesterly

/ ˌnɔːˈwɛstəlɪ; ˌnɔːθˈwɛstəlɪ /

adjective

1. in, towards, or (esp of a wind) from the northwest

noun

1. a wind or storm from the northwest

Word History and Origins

Origin of northwesterly¹

First recorded in 1605–15; northwester + -ly

Example Sentences

Northerly and northwesterly breezes should slowly die down from near 20 mph to around 5 mph by dawn.

From Washington Post

Afternoon northwesterly breezes gust near 20 mph as a tiny shower or storm chance arrives near sunset.

From Washington Post

North-northwesterly wind gusts build and could near 35 mph at times during the afternoon.

From Washington Post

High temperatures in the upper 50s to low 60s combine with west-northwesterly winds near 20 mph, gusting near 35 mph at times, calling for a jacket.

From Washington Post

West-to-northwesterly winds initially fanned ashfall north of Barbados, but Saturday the breeze changed direction.

From Washington Post

Folkner led the way in a northwesterly direction, and evidently knew where he was going.

From Project Gutenberg

Then the Seine flows like a ribbon of silver in a northwesterly direction into the English Channel.

From Project Gutenberg

The land lay prettily, the stream at this point flowing in a southerly direction, with the timber claim on its northwesterly bank.

From Project Gutenberg

Taking a northwesterly route having, as he thought, got around the country of Mirambo, he pushed forward with all speed.

From Project Gutenberg

It flows northward and then turns in a northwesterly direction, emptying finally in Puget Sound at the city of Seattle.

From Project Gutenberg