north

1.nounA1

Definition

the direction that points toward the top of the globe, opposite to south, shown at the top of most maps; also, the part of a city, country, or region that lies in that direction.

Example

Manuela checked the compass and saw that the cabin lay to the north of the river.

collocation: to the north of [place]

The restaurant is on the north side of the square, just past the bank.

collocation: north side of [place]

Common collocations

to the north of
north of
the north of
north side
due north

Synonyms

northward
used only as an adverb or adjective, not as a noun for a region
northern part
more explicit when specifying a sub-area rather than the whole direction

Antonyms

south
the opposite direction and region

Grammar Patterns

the north + of + [place]

Usage Note

When referring to a direction rather than a region, no article is used ('heading north'). When referring to a specific northern area, 'the north' is used ('the north of England').

Common Mistakes

He lives at north.

He lives in the north.

region names require 'the'.

The wind blows to north.

The wind blows north.

no article for direction, and 'to' is unnecessary.

2.nounB2

Definition

the set of wealthy, heavily industrialized nations found mainly in the northern half of the planet; also referred to as the Global North.

Example

The summit brought together leaders from the North and the South to discuss trade.

contrastive: the North and the South

Many aid programmes are designed to transfer technology from the North to developing nations.

Common collocations

the North and the South
North-South divide
the Global North
North-South relations

Synonyms

Global North
more precise modern term that avoids the literal geography issue
developed world
broader; includes countries like Australia and New Zealand that are in the southern hemisphere but economically advanced

Antonyms

Global South
less developed and poorer countries, many in the southern hemisphere

Grammar Patterns

the North = the wealthy industrialized countries

Usage Note

Always capitalized in this sense. Often contrasted with 'the South' (developing nations). Frequently used in political, economic, and development studies contexts.

Common Mistakes

The north has more factories than the south.' (meaning rich vs poor countries)

The North has more factories than the South.

capitalize when referring to geopolitical blocs.

3.nounB2

Definition

the group of US states that stayed loyal to the Union during the Civil War (1861–1865) and fought the seceding Southern states.

Example

After the war, the North imposed conditions on the Southern states before they could rejoin the Union.

historical context: the North imposed conditions

Arjun read about how the North's industrial advantage helped it win the Civil War.

Common collocations

the North won
the North and the South
the Northern states

Synonyms

the Union
the more formal name for the federal government and states that fought together
the Northern states
more transparent geographical label

Antonyms

the Confederacy
the Southern states that seceded
the South
the opposing side in the Civil War

Grammar Patterns

the North = Union states during the US Civil War

Usage Note

Always capitalized in this sense. Refers specifically to the 19th-century Union states, not just any northern part of the US.

Common Mistakes

Today the North has different laws from the South.' (if meaning modern US)

Use 'the northern states' for modern contexts. 'The North' with a capital N is mainly historical.

1.adjectiveA2

Definition

located in, on, or forming the northern side or part of a place, area, or thing.

Example

Christopher parked the van at the north entrance of the stadium.

collocation: north entrance / north side / north wall

The north coast of the island has steep cliffs and strong currents.

Common collocations

north side
north entrance
north coast
north wall
north wing
north face

Synonyms

northern
used for larger or vaguer areas ('northern Europe'); 'north' is preferred for more specific locations ('north entrance')
northerly
suggests a direction or tendency rather than a fixed location

Antonyms

south
the opposite side or part (used attributively: 'south entrance')

Grammar Patterns

north + [noun]

Usage Note

Attributive only — 'north' as an adjective always comes before a noun ('north wall', 'north entrance'). For predicative use ('the wall is north'), use 'north' as an adverb. Not to be confused with 'northern', which often implies a broader or less precise area ('northern Europe' vs 'north London').

Common Mistakes

The entrance is north.' (when meaning location, not direction)

The north entrance.

use attributive adjective form. For predicative, say 'The entrance faces north.'

2.adjectiveB1

Definition

a wind that blows from the north toward the south.

Example

A cold north wind swept across the plains all through the night.

collocation: north wind / north breeze / north gale

The sailors welcomed the steady north breeze that pushed them toward the harbour.

Common collocations

north wind
north breeze
north gale
north wind blowing

Synonyms

northerly wind
more formal or technical in weather reports; 'north wind' is more traditional and poetic
northerly
a noun that can also refer to a wind from the north

Antonyms

south wind
a wind blowing from the south

Grammar Patterns

north + [wind/gust/breeze]

Usage Note

Only used attributively before wind-related nouns ('north wind', 'north breeze'). Do not use with compass directions like 'northwest' — for those, use 'northwesterly wind'. The noun phrase 'north wind' is also used.

Common Mistakes

A wind from north is cold.

A north wind is blowing.

'north wind' is the standard compound.

1.adverbA2

Definition

in a direction that points toward the North Pole or the northern part of a place.

Example

The convoy turned north after crossing the bridge.

pattern: [verb] + north

Sirin and Jude decided to drive north for their summer holiday.

Common collocations

go north
head north
drive north
fly north
turn north
migrate north

Synonyms

northward(s)
slightly more formal and often used in writing ('migrate northwards')
northerly
used as adverb mainly in weather and sailing contexts ('sail northerly')

Antonyms

south
toward the south

Grammar Patterns

[verb] + north

north + [preposition]

Usage Note

No article or preposition is needed before 'north' when used as an adverb ('turn north', not 'turn to north'). However, 'to the north' (prepositional phrase) is also common and standard.

Common Mistakes

We drove to north.

We drove north.

no preposition needed.

Head to the north direction.

Head north.

more concise and natural.

2.adverbB1

Definition

in or to the northern area of a country, region, or city; used with 'of' to specify what lies north of a named place.

Example

The village lies about thirty kilometres north of the capital.

pattern: [distance] + north of + [place]

Tariro lives north of the river in the older part of town.

Common collocations

north of the city
north of the border
north of the river
miles north of
kilometres north of

Synonyms

to the north of
a prepositional alternative with the same meaning
north of
most concise form

Antonyms

south of
in or to the southern area of a place
to the south of
the opposite relative location

Grammar Patterns

[verb] + north of + [place]

Usage Note

This sense always requires 'of' to specify a reference point. Contrast with sense 1, which focuses on direction of movement rather than relative location.

Common Mistakes

The park is north the station.

The park is north of the station.

'of' is required.

She lives north from here.

She lives north of here.

use 'of', not 'from'.

1.biographical nameC1

Definition

Douglass Cecil North (1920–2015), an American economist who won the Nobel Prize in 1993 for his work on economic history and the role of institutions in economic development.

Example

North argued that institutional change drives long-term economic growth.

key idea: institutions and economic growth

Students of development economics still read North's work on property rights.

Usage Note

Often referred to simply as 'Douglass North' in academic contexts. His key works include 'The Rise of the Western World' and 'Institutions, Institutional Change and Economic Performance'.

2.biographical nameC1

Definition

Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford (1732–1792), known as Lord North, a British statesman who served as Prime Minister from 1770 to 1782, during the American Revolutionary War.

Example

Lord North's government faced growing opposition to the war in America.

historical role: British PM during American Revolution

North resigned as Prime Minister shortly after the British defeat at Yorktown.

Usage Note

Commonly referred to as 'Lord North' in historical texts. He is one of the most famous British prime ministers, largely because of his role during the loss of the American colonies.

3.biographical nameC1

Definition

Sir Thomas North (c. 1535–c. 1603), an English translator best known for his English version of Plutarch's 'Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans', which was a major source for William Shakespeare's Roman plays.

Example

Shakespeare borrowed many passages directly from North's translation of Plutarch.

literary influence: source for Shakespeare's plays

North's lively English style made classical stories accessible to Elizabethan readers.

Usage Note

Distinguish from Lord North (Frederick North). Sir Thomas North is remembered primarily for his translation work, which had a profound influence on English Renaissance literature.

Word family

northern
adjectiveA2
northerner
nounB1
northerly
adjectiveB2
northerly
adverbB2
northward
adverbB2
northward
adjectiveB2
northwards
adverbB2
northbound
adjectiveB1
northeast
nounA2
northwest
nounA2
northeastern
adjectiveB1
northwestern
adjectiveB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All five words relate to the north direction but differ in grammatical role and typical usage. 'North' is the most general: it works as noun, adjective, and adverb ('the north', 'north wind', 'go north'). 'Northward' (or 'northwards') is strictly an adverb or adjective focusing on the direction of travel ('the northward migration of birds'), and is slightly more formal than 'north'. 'Northern' is an adjective used for broader or vaguer areas ('northern Europe'), whereas 'north' as adjective is for specific locations ('north door'). 'Northerly' is used mainly for wind direction or general tendency ('a northerly wind', 'in a northerly direction') and is more common in formal weather reporting. 'Northbound' describes a vehicle or road heading north ('a northbound train', 'the northbound lane of the highway'). Example: 'The northbound train leaves from platform 3.'

north ↗northwardnorthern ↗northerlynorthbound

Common collocations

Nouns

north wind
north coast
north side
north entrance
north pole
north face
north wall
north wing
north direction
north country

Adverbs

due north
directly north
straight north
slightly north
roughly north
far north

Phrases

north of the border
up north
down south
north by northwest
due north

Prepositions

north of
to the north
from the north
towards the north

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'north' comes from Old English 'norþ', which traces back to Proto-Germanic '*nurþrą'. This Germanic root is believed to come from the Proto-Indo-European '*ner-' meaning 'left' or 'below', since when one faces the rising sun in the east, north is on the left side. The word has cognates in many Germanic languages: German 'Norden', Dutch 'noord', and Swedish 'norr'. The same PIE root also gave Latin 'noster' (our) and Greek 'νέρτερος' (nerteros, lower).

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north

north — noun

1. the direction that points toward the top of the globe, opposite to south, shown

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. the set of wealthy, heavily industrialized nations found mainly in the northern

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

3. the group of US states that stayed loyal to the Union during the Civil War (1861

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

north — adjective

1. located in, on, or forming the northern side or part of a place, area, or thing.

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. a wind that blows from the north toward the south.

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

north — adverb

1. in a direction that points toward the North Pole or the northern part of a place

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. in or to the northern area of a country, region, or city; used with 'of' to spec

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

north — biographical name

1. Douglass Cecil North (1920–2015), an American economist who won the Nobel Prize

Usage Note

2. Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford (1732–1792), known as Lord North, a Britis

Usage Note

3. Sir Thomas North (c. 1535–c. 1603), an English translator best known for his Eng

Usage Note

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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