west-northwest

American  

[west-nawrth-west, west-nawr-west] / ˈwɛstˌnɔrθˈwɛst, ˈwɛstˌnɔrˈwɛst /

noun

1. a point on the compass midway between west and northwest.

---

adjective

1. coming from this point.

   a west-northwest wind.

2. directed toward this point.

   a west-northwest course.

adverb

1. toward this point: WNW

   sailing west-northwest.

west-northwest British  

noun

1. the point on the compass or the direction midway between west and northwest, 292° 30′ clockwise from north

---

adjective

1. in, from, or towards this direction

Etymology

Origin of west-northwest

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

west-northwest

Look to the west-northwest horizon just after sunset and you will have around an hour to catch a glimpse.

From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2026

The storm is currently centered 130 miles west-northwest of Progreso, Mexico.

From Salon ● Oct. 7, 2024

The storm formed 270 miles south-southwest from San Juan, P.R., and was moving west-northwest at 14 m.p.h.

From New York Times ● Aug. 20, 2023

"Very tough days ahead – with two days of northwest to west-northwest winds on Friday and Saturday, which would push fire towards Yellowknife," the territorial fire service said in a statement on Facebook.

From Reuters ● Aug. 17, 2023

At noon the fog lifted into low clouds that scudded across their bows from the west-northwest.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong