North: meaning, definitions and examples

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north

[ nɔːrθ ]

Noun / Adjective

Oxford 3000

^{Context #1 | Noun}

direction

The direction that is at the top of a map, pointing towards the North Pole. It is opposite to south and is one of the four cardinal directions.

Synonyms

northerly, northern.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
north	Use 'north' when speaking about a general direction or location relative to another point. It is often used in geography, navigation, and everyday language to indicate direction. We need to head north to reach the city. The wind is coming from the north.
northern	The term 'northern' is best used to describe something that is situated in or related to the north part of a region, country, or world. It often describes specific regions or characteristics. She lives in the northern part of the state. Northern countries often experience harsher winters.
northerly	Use 'northerly' to describe a direction, movement, or wind that comes from or is directed towards the north. It is slightly more technical and precise than 'north'. The migratory birds are flying in a northerly direction. We encountered a strong northerly wind during our hike.

Word

Description / Examples

north

Use 'north' when speaking about a general direction or location relative to another point. It is often used in geography, navigation, and everyday language to indicate direction.

We need to head north to reach the city.
The wind is coming from the north.

northern

The term 'northern' is best used to describe something that is situated in or related to the north part of a region, country, or world. It often describes specific regions or characteristics.

She lives in the northern part of the state.
Northern countries often experience harsher winters.

northerly

Use 'northerly' to describe a direction, movement, or wind that comes from or is directed towards the north. It is slightly more technical and precise than 'north'.

The migratory birds are flying in a northerly direction.
We encountered a strong northerly wind during our hike.

Examples of usage

The compass needle always points to the north.
We traveled north to reach our destination.

^{Context #2 | Noun}