northerly

[nawr-ther-lee]

adjective

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

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

   a northerly gale.

adverb

1. toward the north.

2. from the north.

noun

plural

northerlies 

1. a wind that blows from the north.

northerly

/ ˈnɔːðəlɪ /

adjective

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

adverb

1. towards or in the direction of the north

2. from the north

   a northerly wind

noun

1. a wind from the north

Other Word Forms

• northerliness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of northerly¹

1545–55; north + -erly, modeled on easterly

Example Sentences

A further 79 people have been injured in the city's deadliest blaze in more than 70 years, which occurred in the northerly suburb of Tai Po, while dozens remain missing.

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While the wind won't be as strong elsewhere across the UK, the resulting northerly airflow will bring colder conditions again.

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Wednesday will feel particularly cold with a strong northerly wind.

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The cold northerly wind on Wednesday will blow in snow showers across mostly northern Scotland but also for a time in Northern Ireland, eastern England, west Wales and even the Moors of south-west England.

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Midweek stays cold with brisk northerly winds, and sleet and snow showers are likely, mainly along northern and eastern coasts, as well as Northern Ireland, west Wales, and possibly the moors of south-west England.

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