Definition

Relating to or located in the direction of the north; often used to describe areas, regions, or characteristics that are found in the northern part of a place.

Example

The northern lights are a beautiful natural phenomenon that can be seen in the Arctic regions.

Conversation

I heard the weather in the northern regions is really cold this time of year.

Yeah, I've seen pictures of snow everywhere up there!

Do you think we should plan a trip to a northern city someday?

Definitely! It would be fun to experience that kind of winter.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

A term referring to the dialect of English spoken in the northern regions of the United States, particularly above a specific line that runs through parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and South Dakota.

Example

The northern dialect has unique phrases and pronunciations that differ from other regional dialects.

Conversation

Have you ever heard the northern dialect they use in parts of the Midwest?

Yeah, it's really interesting how different it sounds from what we know.

I wonder how it developed over time in those regions.

Root Explanation

Northern → It is formed from "north" (from Old English *norð*, meaning the direction opposite to south) and "-ern" (a suffix used to form adjectives indicating direction or location). The word "northern" refers to something that is situated in or characteristic of the north.

Memory Tip

Think of the direction 'north' — that's where 'northern' refers to, indicating something related to the north.

Visually Confused Words