easterly

American  

[ee-ster-lee] / ˈi stər li /

adjective

1. moving, directed, or situated toward the east.

   an easterly course.

2. (especially of a wind) coming from the east.

   an easterly gale.

---

adverb

1. toward the east.

2. from the east.

noun

plural

easterlies

1. a wind that blows from the east.

easterly British  

/ ˈiːstəlɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or situated in the east

---

adverb

1. towards or in the direction of the east

2. from the east

   an easterly wind

noun

1. a wind from the east

easterly Scientific  

/ ē′stər-lē /

1. A wind, especially a prevailing wind, that blows from the east. The trade winds in tropical regions and the prevailing winds in the polar regions are easterlies.

2. See illustration at wind

---

Other Word Forms

• easterliness noun

Etymology

Origin of easterly

1540–50; obsolete easter eastern ( easterling ) + -ly

Example Sentences

It was driven by strong easterly Santa Ana winds of 30 to 40 mph.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

German media reports that conditions are tough at the sea-shore with an icy easterly wind.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Her mouth often pulls to the right when she speaks, her admirable non-native English tugged easterly in a Finnish accent.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

Since 2011, scientists have tracked the recurring appearance of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, a massive band of gulfweed that moves from the equator toward the Caribbean during periods of strong easterly winds.

From Science Daily • Nov. 19, 2025

The easterly wind that had been blowing ever since they left Ithilien now seemed dead.

From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien