northern
4 synonyms and 3 antonyms for northern, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Situated in, facing, or coming from the north.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use northern
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English "norþerne," ultimately built from "north" plus a Germanic ending meaning "of that direction."
Full origin of northern →Frequently asked questions
What does “northern” mean?
The word “northern” means situated in, facing, or coming from the north. In plain terms, of, from, or related to the north.
How do you pronounce “northern”?
“Northern” is pronounced NAW-thuhn (/ˈnɔɹ.ðɚn/ in IPA).
How do you use “northern” in a sentence?
Here is “northern” used in a sentence: “They spent the summer touring northern Italy.”
What is another word for “northern”?
Words with a similar meaning to “northern” include boreal and septentrional.
What is the opposite of “northern”?
The opposite of “northern” — its antonyms — are austral, meridional and southern.
What part of speech is “northern”?
Depending on how it is used, “northern” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “northern” come from?
The word “northern” comes from Old English. From Old English "norþerne," ultimately built from "north" plus a Germanic ending meaning "of that direction.".
Is “northern” a common word?
“Northern” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'northern' and 'northerly'?
'Northern' describes something located in or belonging to the north, such as northern Europe. 'Northerly' describes direction or movement toward the north, or — especially with wind — coming from the north. So a northerly wind blows from the north, while a northern town simply sits in the north.
Is 'northern' capitalized?
Usually it is lowercase, as in 'the northern coast.' It takes a capital N only when part of a proper name, such as Northern Ireland, the Northern Hemisphere, or the Northern Lights. If you are describing a general direction or region, keep it lowercase.
What is the opposite of 'northern'?
The opposite is 'southern,' describing what lies in or comes from the south. The four directional adjectives — northern, southern, eastern, and western — each point to their part of the compass. So the northern edge of a country faces the opposite way from its southern edge.