Meaning & use
northeaster
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountableAmericanregional
A strong wind or storm that blows from the northeast, especially one affecting the northeastern US coast.
Grammar: Countable: a northeaster, two northeasters. Often used with 'a' or in the plural.
Patterns
- a northeaster blew
- the northeaster hit
A fierce northeaster battered the coast for two days.
The fishing boats stayed in port because a northeaster was forecast.
After the northeaster passed, the streets were covered in debris.
nouncountabletechnical
A wind that comes from the northeast direction, not necessarily a storm.
Grammar: Countable: often used in weather reports.
Patterns
- a northeaster is blowing
- winds from the northeaster
The sailors welcomed the cool northeaster on a hot day.
A gentle northeaster kept the flags moving.
The weather station recorded a northeaster of 15 knots.
Word forms
| plural | northeasters |
|---|
Common combinations
- a northeaster blew
- A northeaster blew all night and rattled the windows.
- the northeaster hit
- The northeaster hit the coast early in the morning.
- a strong northeaster
- A strong northeaster delayed all the ferries.
Synonyms and how they differ
- nor'easter
- A common informal variant spelling and pronunciation, especially in New England.
- northeast wind
- A plain descriptive term for a wind from the northeast; it does not imply a storm.
Opposites
Word family
- northeast noun
- The direction between north and east.
- northeasterly adjective
- Coming from or directed toward the northeast.
Commonly confused: northeaster or norther?
northeaster vs norther
A 'norther' is a cold north wind, especially in Texas and the Gulf of Mexico; a northeaster comes specifically from the northeast.
Practice
What does 'northeaster' most commonly refer to in American English?
Choose one answer.
In American English, a northeaster is typically a powerful storm with northeast winds, especially along the East Coast. A person from the northeast is a 'Northerner', and a cold north wind is a 'norther'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “northeaster”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.