Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

northwest

/nɔɹθˈwɛst/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.14 in modern English

Syllables
north-west
IPA
/nɔɹθˈwɛst/
15
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
2
Syllables
8
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The intercardinal compass point halfway between west and north; specifically at a bearing of 315°.

adj

Of, in or pertaining to the northwest; northwestern.

adj

Situated toward or in the direction of the northwest; northwestward; northwesterly.

adj

Coming from the northwest; northwesterly.

adv

Towards or in the direction of the northwest; northwestwards.

name

Any of various particular regions named for the cardinal direction in which they lie.

name

Any of various particular regions named for the cardinal direction in which they lie.

American usage

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English northwest, from Old English norþwest, equivalent to north + west.

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: northwest, norþwest

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /nɔɹθˈwɛst/
  • British English: /nɔːθˈwɛst/

Usage

Inflected Forms

northwests (plural) north-west (alternative, UK) nor'-west (alternative) NW (alternative, abbreviation) more northwest (comparative) most northwest (superlative) further northwest (comparative) farther northwest (comparative) furthest northwest (superlative) farthest northwest (superlative) the Northwest (canonical)

Derived Forms

Phrases

Frequently Paired Words

Synonyms

Antonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce northwest?
The recorded pronunciation is /nɔɹθˈwɛst/.
What does northwest mean?
The intercardinal compass point halfway between west and north; specifically at a bearing of 315°.
Where does northwest come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce northwest

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “northwest”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/nɔɹθˈwɛst/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “northwest”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “northwest” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.