In American English, the preferred suffix is -ward—for example, westward, forward, backward, downward. Outside American English, -wards is preferred—so, westwards… See more

Words ending in -ward and -wards can be both adjectives and adverbs. No -ly is needed. In the first example below, backward is an adjective. In the second one, down… See more

When used as nouns denoting specific regions, these words are capitalized—for example: As adjectives, unless they’re parts of proper names (e.g. West Virginia, South Aust… See more

These are unnecessary words. Northerly, southerly, westerly, and easterly—without the n—are the standard words Similar words that combine directions… See more