northerly

1 of 2

adjective or adverb

north·​er·​ly ˈnȯr-t͟hər-lē 

1

: situated toward or belonging to the north

the northerly border

2

: coming from the north

a northerly wind

northerly

2 of 2

noun

plural northerlies

: a wind from the north

Examples of northerly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective or adverb

North Ronaldsay is Orkney’s most northerly island, and is only three miles long and two miles wide. — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026

The meltemi, a northerly wind over the Aegean, can take the edge off a hot beach afternoon while roughening the sea enough to disrupt ferries. — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026

Noun

Only the strongest swimmers should consider cliff diving into the sea, which can become rough when northerlies blow through. — Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective or adverb

north entry 3 + -erly (as in easterly)

First Known Use

Adjective Or Adverb

circa 1544, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1895, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

northerly

1 of 2 adjective or adverb

north·​er·​ly ˈnȯr-t͟hər-lē 

1

: placed or lying toward the north

the northerly border

2

: coming from the north

a northerly wind

northerly

2 of 2 noun

plural northerlies

: a wind from the north