northward
gb/nˈɔɹθwɚd/ us/nˈɔɹθwɚd/
B2
English
~ 6000
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
relation
1
toward or in the north direction
In or toward the direction of the north.
Usage pattern:
to move [someone/something] northward
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"to the northward"* in everyday speech, which sounds old-fashioned; use *"northward"* or simply *"north"* instead. Another common confusion is between *"northward"* and *"northwards"*; both are correct, but *"northwards"* is more British, while *"northward"* is slightly more American or formal.
Synonyms
northwards (More common in British English; meaning is the same.)
|
north (Can be used as an adverb in many of the same contexts, but is slightly shorter and more common in casual speech.)
Antonyms
southward (Indicates movement toward the south, the opposite direction.)
Collocations
move northward
|head northward
|drift northward
|trend northward
|extend northward
Themes
travel
|geography
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The birds began to fly northward as spring approached.
- Traffic moved slowly northward along the coast highway.
- The warm air is pushing northward from the tropics.
- They drove northward for two days before reaching the border.
- The storm is expected to track northward overnight.
Learner examples
- We walked northward along the river.
- The car is going northward toward the city.
- The wind is blowing northward today.
- The army moved northward after the battle.
- The road continues northward for many kilometers.
adjective
B2
property
2
going or directed toward north
Going toward the north, or pointing in the direction of the north.
Usage pattern:
a northward [movement/direction/route/flow]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *"north"* as an adjective in all cases (e.g. *"a north movement"*). While *"north"* is common for locations ("north wind", "north side"), *"northward"* or *"northward movement"* is more natural when emphasizing direction or change over time.
Synonyms
northerly (Often used for winds, directions, or locations; similar meaning but sometimes sounds slightly more technical or meteorological.)
Antonyms
southward (Describes movement or direction toward the south, the opposite of northward.)
Collocations
northward movement
|northward flow
|northward migration
|northward expansion
|northward route
|northward journey
Themes
travel
|geography
|nature
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Scientists have observed a steady northward migration of many animal species.
- The river takes a sharp northward turn at this point.
- They followed a northward route through the mountains.
- The company’s northward expansion created new jobs in rural towns.
- A strong northward current carried the boat away from the harbor.
Learner examples
- We started our northward journey in the morning.
- The road makes a northward turn after the bridge.
- There is a slow northward movement of people to the city.
- The ship followed a northward course along the coast.
- A northward wind pushed the clouds away.
Noun
literary
C2
entity
3
direction or movement toward north
The direction toward the north, or a movement going that way. This use is rare and mainly literary.
Usage pattern:
toward the northward
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use this form in everyday speech (e.g. *"We drove to the northward"*), which sounds unnatural or old-fashioned. In modern English, say *"to the north"* or *"northward"* instead.
Synonyms
the north (More common and natural in modern English to talk about the direction itself.)
Antonyms
the southward (Literary counterpart referring to the opposite direction.)
Collocations
the northward
|toward the northward
|to the northward
Themes
geography
|literature
|space
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They set their faces to the northward and did not look back.
- The ship’s bow swung slowly toward the northward.
- All trade and travel seemed to flow to the northward in those years.
Learner examples
- The boat turned to the northward at sunrise.
- They walked slowly toward the northward in the cold wind.
- Old books sometimes say "to the northward" instead of "to the north".
Grammar
Dictionary form
northward
IPA
GB/nˈɔɹθwɚd/
US/nˈɔɹθwɚd/
Syllables & stress
north - ward (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (north)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: northward
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.