Reading Theme:

Language:

Font Size:

📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

North: Definition, Examples, and Usage (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：northern direction (north)

north 🔊

/nɔːrθ/

n., adj., adv.

one of the four main points of the compass, opposite to south, on the left when facing the rising sun.

Compass pointing north on a map with forest path

northern direction 🔊

➕

/ˈnɔːrðərn dɪˈrɛkʃən/

n., adj., adv.

North is one of the four cardinal directions. It is directly opposite to south and points towards the North Pole.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'norþ', from Proto-Germanic *nurþrą, from PIE *ner- 'left'.

💡 Mnemonic

The letter 'N' in compass points to the North, just like the 'N' in 'needle'.

📖 Example

If you keep walking north for another kilometer, you'll see the famous lighthouse on the cliff. 🔊 If you continue going north for one more kilometer, you will see the lighthouse on the cliff.

🔗 Collocations

true north – the direction of the North Pole, used for navigation

north of something – located toward the north from a reference point

head north – to travel or move in a northern direction

🔄 Synonyms

northward (adv./adj.) – toward or in the north

northerly (adj./adv.) – situated or directed toward the north

northern (adj.) – of or relating to the north

🚫 Antonyms

south (n./adj./adv.) – the direction opposite to north

southward (adv./adj.) – toward the south

🌱 Derivatives

northern (adj.) – located in or coming from the north

northerly (adj./adv.) – toward the north

northward (adv./adj.) – in a direction toward the north

📖 Cultural Story

North derives from Proto-Germanic *nurþrą, possibly from PIE *ner- 'left' because north is on the left when facing the rising sun.

Meaning 2：northern part (north)

north 🔊

/nɔːrθ/

n., adj., adv.

the part of a country, region, or city that is in the north.

Map highlighting the northern region of a country

northern part 🔊

➕

/ˈnɔːrðərn pɑːrt/

n., adj., adv.

The north refers to the area located in the northern part of a country, region, or city.

📁 Category：Buildings & Places 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

My grandparents live in the north of the country, where the winters are long and snowy. 🔊 My grandparents reside in the northern part of the nation, where the winter season is long and snowy.

🔗 Collocations

the north of – the northern part of a place

up north – in or to the northern area

northern region – a geographic area in the north

🔄 Synonyms

northern area (n.) – a region located in the north

northland (n.) – the northern part of a country or the world

upcountry (n./adj.) – the interior part of a region, often the north

🚫 Antonyms

south (n.) – the southern part of a region

southern part (n.) – the area in the south

🌱 Derivatives

northernmost (adj.) – farthest north

northerner (n.) – a person from the north

Meaning 3：from the north (north)

north 🔊

/nɔːrθ/

n., adj., adv.

coming from or relating to the north, often describing cold wind or direction.

Person with scarf blown by cold north wind outdoors

from the north 🔊

➕

/frʌm ðə nɔːrθ/

n., adj., adv.

When used as an adjective, 'north' describes wind or air that originates from the northern direction.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

A strong north wind brought a sudden drop in temperature overnight. 🔊 A strong wind coming from the north caused a sudden decrease in temperature overnight.

🔗 Collocations

north wind – wind blowing from the north

north face – the side of a mountain facing north

north side – the side that is toward the north

🔄 Synonyms

northerly (adj.) – coming from the north

northern (adj.) – of or relating to the north

🚫 Antonyms

south wind (n.) – wind blowing from the south

southerly (adj.) – coming from the south

🌱 Derivatives

northerly (adj./adv.) – coming from or situated to the north