West: Meaning, Definition, and Usage Examples

Meaning 1：west direction (west)

west 🔊

/wɛst/

One of the four main directions, the direction where the sun sets each evening. It is the opposite of east.

west direction 🔊

➕

/wɛst dɪˈrɛkʃən/

The cardinal point opposite east, where the sun sets each evening; one of the four principal compass directions.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Proto-Germanic *westr-, akin to Latin vesper (evening), relating to sunset direction.

💡 Mnemonic

West sounds like 'waste' – the sun goes west and wastes away into the horizon.

📖 Example

If you keep walking towards the setting sun, you’re heading west. 🔊 If you keep walking towards the setting sun, you’re heading west.

🔗 Collocations

go west – Travel or move towards the west.

head west – To set a course westward.

west coast – The western coastline of a landmass, especially of the United States.

🔄 Synonyms

western direction (n.) – The direction toward the west.

occident (n.) – A formal or poetic term for the western part of the world, especially Europe and America.

sunset (n.) – The time when the sun goes down, often used figuratively to symbolize the west.

🚫 Antonyms

east (n.) – The opposite cardinal direction, where the sun rises.

orient (n.) – The eastern part of the world, especially Asia.

sunrise (n.) – The opposite of sunset, associated with the east.

🌱 Derivatives

western (adj.) – Relating to the west.

westward (adv./adj.) – Towards the west.

westernmost (adj.) – Farthest west.

📖 Cultural Story

Old English west, from Proto-Germanic *westr-; related to Latin vesper (evening) and Greek hesperos. West is historically tied to sunset and decline, later associated with the American frontier in 'Wild West'.