north·east·er·ly I. \-tərlē, -li, -R -təl- sometimes -təl-\adverb (or adjective) Etymology: from northeast (III), after English east (II); easterly (II) 1.: from the northeast < the wind blew northeasterly > < northeasterly gales > 2.: toward the northeast < voyaging northeasterly for several days > < a northeasterly voyage > II. noun : a wind from the northeast