When navigating on a compass, "north by east" refers to a direction that is slightly north of due east. There are several synonyms for this direction, including "northeast," "NNE" (which stands for "north-northeast"), and "east-northeast." These terms all describe a direction that is slightly east of due north, with "northeast" being the most commonly used. Other directions that are north or east of "north by east" include "north-northeast," "northeast by north," "east-northeast," and "northeast by east." These directions can be useful when navigating on land, at sea, or in the air, and are an important tool for ensuring accurate navigation.