northeasterly

[ nawrth-ee-ster-lee; Nautical nawr-ee-ster-lee ]

/ ˌnɔrθˈi stər li; Nautical ˌnɔrˈi stər li /

Save This Word!

adjective

of or located in the northeast.

toward or from the northeast.

adverb

toward or from the northeast.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of northeasterly

First recorded in 1730–40; north + easterly

Words nearby northeasterly

northeast, northeast by east, northeast by north, Northeast Corridor, northeaster, northeasterly, northeasterner, North East Frontier Agency, North East Lincolnshire, North East New Guinea, Northeast Passage

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use northeasterly in a sentence

A north-northeasterly breeze should ease a bit as the day wears on, with only a few gusts overall getting above 15 mph.
D.C.-area forecast: Mild and mostly bright into midweek, except for tomorrow’s chill|A. Camden Walker|February 27, 2022|Washington Post
A couple of east-northeasterly wind gusts near 30 mph are possible.
D.C.-area forecast: More springlike in the days ahead. Rain chances arrive late Saturday.|A. Camden Walker|April 23, 2021|Washington Post
Skies should stay sunny, but east-northeasterly breezes are slightly more noticeable and steady with time, blowing around 10 mph, perhaps gusting toward 20 mph or so.
D.C.-area forecast: Final showers exit quick this morning, then another sunny stretch gets underway|A. Camden Walker|March 19, 2021|Washington Post
North and northeasterly winds become noticeable by dawn, as temperatures bottom out in the low to mid-40s.
D.C.-area forecast: Showers today, with soaking rain tonight|A. Camden Walker, Jason Samenow|December 4, 2020|Washington Post

We then struggled on in a northeasterly direction across-country, till we struck the Vaughn road.
The Memoirs of General P. H. Sheridan, Complete|General Philip Henry Sheridan
But I outvoted him and we continued on, taking a northeasterly course, which we followed for what seemed about five miles.
Lost Pond|Henry Abbott
Then it continues three leagues in an east-northeasterly direction.
The Aboriginal Population of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, California|S. F. Cook
I reset the trap and then took the trail of the bear, which had taken a northeasterly course.
Fifty Years a Hunter and Trapper|Eldred Nathaniel Woodcock
There was a keen northeasterly breeze, cold and penetrating, but favourable to a rapid crossing.
The Elusive Pimpernel|Baroness Emmuska Orczy

British Dictionary definitions for northeasterly

northeasterly

/ (ˌnɔːθˈiːstəlɪ, nautical ˌnɔːrˈiːstəlɪ) /

adjective, adverb

in, towards, or (esp of a wind) from the northeast

noun plural -lies

a wind or storm from the northeast

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012