easterly

[ ee-ster-lee ]

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 east·er·lies.

1. a wind that blows from the east.

easterly

/ 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

/ 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 Words From

• easter·li·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of easterly¹

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

Example Sentences

North-northwest breezes remain light until late-day easterly breezes kick up a bit, gusting a couple times near 20 mph.

From Washington Post

In September, roaring easterly winds combined with very dry vegetation to drive massive wildfires in Oregon’s forests, some of which had been ignited by lightning a few weeks prior.

From Washington Post

Light easterly breezes may gust around 15 mph a couple times.

From Washington Post

Denver’s NBC affiliate reported that avalanches can easily be triggered on northerly and easterly slopes, even from far away or below.

From Washington Post

The hope was that the easterlies tumbling seaward from the dry lungs of California’s San Bernardino Valley would slingshot her past Catalina Island and to 125 degrees west longitude, where the currents would shift in her favor.

From Outside Online

Each pilot made an easterly course toward Fallujah, heading back to the LZ beyond Camp Schwedler.

From The Daily Beast

These divinations told them that Lennon should make a long journey in a south-easterly direction.

From The Daily Beast

Afternoon weather for central London is predicted to be 12C, light rain, easterly breeze with the evening, largely overcast.

From The Daily Beast

Strong easterly winds drove the fire down the westerly slopes of the Carmel Range.

From The Daily Beast

From the easterly end of the flat the augmented river squeezed in a roaring rapids through a sort of bottle neck.

From Project Gutenberg

In the month of December strong south-easterly gales are not uncommon; and in February and March they are very frequent.

From Project Gutenberg

Consequently the journeying water by its momentum tends to move off in an easterly course.

From Project Gutenberg

Thick fog banks came sweeping past at intervals; a cold north-easterly gale conveyed a wintry feeling to the air.

From Project Gutenberg

Shortly before ten, two tar-barrels were observed burning in a north-easterly direction.

From Project Gutenberg