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adjective B1 Intermediate Uncommon

northwestern

nawth-WEHST-uhn

Northwestern (adjective) means Located in, from, or relating to the northwest. Example: “The company is based in the northwestern part of the state.”

adjective
1
Located in, from, or relating to the northwest.
"The company is based in the northwestern part of the state."
"Northwestern Europe has a mild, wet climate."

How to use northwestern

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRelating to or found in the northwest region.

Word forms

more northwestern comparative, northwesterns plural, most northwestern superlative

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Test yourself on “northwestern” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The company is based in the _____ part of the state.

Etymology

Likely from an unrecorded Old English "*norþwesterne," combining "north" and "western."

Origin: Old English

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Rhymes for northwestern

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Frequently asked questions

What does “northwestern” mean?

The word “northwestern” means located in, from, or relating to the northwest. In plain terms, relating to or found in the northwest region.

How do you pronounce “northwestern”?

“Northwestern” is pronounced nawth-WEHST-uhn (/nɔːθˈwɛstn̩/ in IPA).

How do you use “northwestern” in a sentence?

Here is “northwestern” used in a sentence: “The company is based in the northwestern part of the state.”

What part of speech is “northwestern”?

“Northwestern” is an adjective.

Where does the word “northwestern” come from?

The word “northwestern” comes from Old English. Likely from an unrecorded Old English "*norþwesterne," combining "north" and "western.".

Is “northwestern” a common word?

“Northwestern” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

What is the difference between northwestern and northwest?

Northwest is typically used as a noun or direction ('heading northwest'), while northwestern is the adjective form used to describe something located in, from, or relating to the northwest ('the northwestern coast'). Both refer to the same direction but function differently in a sentence.

When should you use northwestern instead of just north or west?

Northwestern is used when a location or feature lies between north and west rather than directly in either direction. It gives a more precise description than using 'north' or 'west' alone when something is positioned diagonally between the two.

How is northwestern typically used in a geographic description?

Northwestern usually appears before a noun to describe a region, such as 'northwestern Europe' or 'the northwestern United States.' It modifies the noun to show the area is located in or relates to the northwest part of a larger region.

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