Northernwards - Definition, Meaning, and Examples in English

Definition

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

direction

Towards the north or in a northerly direction.

Synonyms

northward, northwards.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
northernwards	Mostly used in written or formal contexts to describe movement or direction towards the north. This term is less common and can appear in literary or historical texts. The explorers traveled northernwards in search of new lands
northwards	Frequently used in everyday spoken and written English to describe movement or direction towards the north. This variant is more common in British English. The birds flew northwards as the weather began to change
northward	Commonly used in both spoken and written English to indicate movement or direction towards the north. It can be slightly more formal than 'northwards'. They drove northward to escape the city

Word

Description / Examples

northernwards

Mostly used in written or formal contexts to describe movement or direction towards the north. This term is less common and can appear in literary or historical texts.

The explorers traveled northernwards in search of new lands

northwards

Frequently used in everyday spoken and written English to describe movement or direction towards the north. This variant is more common in British English.

The birds flew northwards as the weather began to change

northward

Commonly used in both spoken and written English to indicate movement or direction towards the north. It can be slightly more formal than 'northwards'.

They drove northward to escape the city

Examples of usage

We headed northernwards to escape the heat of the city.
The birds flew northernwards for the winter migration.

Interesting Facts

Geography

In the Northern Hemisphere, going northernwards might involve crossing various climate zones, including temperate to polar.
Countries like Canada and Norway are examples of places that lie to the northernward part of their respective continents.
The Arctic Circle is a crucial line that marks the area north of which experiences polar day and night.

Cultural Significance

In many Indigenous cultures in the Northern Hemisphere, northern movements or directions are often associated with wisdom and introspection.
Festivals in some northern communities celebrate the return of light after long, dark winters, marking the importance of the northern direction.
Nordic mythology frequently ties the concept of northern pathways to journeys and quests for knowledge.

Travel and Exploration

Historical explorers, like the Vikings, often traveled northernwards to discover new lands and trade routes.
The phrase 'going north' is often used to refer to pursuing opportunities or adventures, especially in travel literature.
Modern navigation often uses 'northernwards' to describe routes taken in aviation and maritime travel.

Literature

In many literary works, heading northernwards symbolizes a quest for truth or enlightenment.
Poets frequently use northern imagery to evoke feelings of coldness, isolation, or clarity of thought.
Novels set in northern landscapes often explore themes of survival and resilience against harsh environments.

Origin of 'northernwards'

Main points about word origin

'Northern' comes from Old English 'norð', which means the direction towards the North.
'Wards' is derived from Old English 'weard', meaning 'guard' or 'to keep an eye on', but here it means 'towards'.
The word has been used in English since the early 14th century to describe a direction.

The word 'northernwards' is a combination of 'northern' and the suffix '-wards', forming an adverb that indicates movement or direction towards the north. It is commonly used in navigation, travel, and geographic contexts to describe movement in a northerly direction. The term has origins in Old English and has been adapted over time to its current form in modern English.

Northernwards Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations