north

The direction opposite south, towards the top of most maps.

• The arrow points to the north.
• Find north with your compass.
• The path turns towards the north.

How to use it: to the north of something (The lake is to the north of the village.)

Opposites: south

Common phrases: true north, due north, magnetic north, towards the north

The northern part of a country or region, or the cold lands near the North Pole.

• Winters are colder in the north.
• They moved to the far north.
• Heavy snow has closed roads across the north of the country.

How to use it: the north of somewhere (She grew up in the north of Spain.)

Similar words: northern region

Opposites: south

Common phrases: the far north, the frozen north, in the north

The end of a magnet that points towards Earth's northern region when it can turn freely.

• The magnet's north is marked in red.
• North and south attract when the magnets are brought together.
• The diagram labels north with the letter N.

Similar words: north pole

Opposites: south

Common phrases: magnet's north, north and south

In or connected with the northern part of a place.

• Use the north gate.
• Their house is on the north side of town.
• We explored the island's north coast.

Similar words: northern

Opposites: south

Common phrases: north coast, north side, north entrance

Going or pointing towards the northern direction.

• Take the north route.
• The north lane carries traffic towards the border.
• They chose a north course through the valley.

Similar words: northward, northbound

Opposites: south

Common phrases: north route, north lane, north course

Towards the northern direction, or on the northern side of a place.

• We drove north.
• The birds flew north in spring.
• The hotel is a little further north.

How to use it: north of somewhere (Our village lies north of the city.)

Similar words: northward, northwards

Opposites: south

Common phrases: head north, drive north, further north

On the northern side of a particular place.

• The park is north of here.
• They live twenty miles north of London.
• Is the lake north of the town?

How to use it: north of somewhere (The farm is north of the village.)

Opposites: south

Common phrases: north of here, north of somewhere, just north of