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adverb B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

northward

NAWTH-wuhd
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Northward (adverb) means Toward the north. Example: “The ship sailed northward through icy waters.”

adverb
1
Toward the north.
"The ship sailed northward through icy waters."
adjective
1
Facing or moving toward the north.
"They took the northward road out of the valley."

How to use northward

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMoving or facing in the direction of the north.

Common pairings
head northward push northward
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Word forms

Comparative
more northward
Superlative
most northward
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The ship sailed _____ through icy waters.

Etymology

From "north" plus "-ward," a suffix meaning "in the direction of."

Related words

Frequently asked questions

What does “northward” mean?
The word “northward” means toward the north. In plain terms, moving or facing in the direction of the north.
How do you pronounce “northward”?
“Northward” is pronounced NAWTH-wuhd (/ˈnɔɹθwɚd/ in IPA).
How do you use “northward” in a sentence?
Here is “northward” used in a sentence: “The ship sailed northward through icy waters.”
What part of speech is “northward”?
Depending on how it is used, “northward” can be an adverb and an adjective.
Is “northward” a common word?
“Northward” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “northward” have?
“Northward” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: toward the north.

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