west
2 synonyms and 0 antonyms for west, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The compass direction that the sun sets in; the direction 90 degrees anticlockwise from north.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use west
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Traces back through Old English west to a very old Germanic root tied to the word for "evening" — since west is, after all, where the sun goes down.
Full origin of west →Frequently asked questions
What does “west” mean?
The word “west” means the compass direction that the sun sets in; the direction 90 degrees anticlockwise from north. In plain terms, the direction the sun sets; also used loosely for the US/Europe/Australia bloc of countries.
How do you pronounce “west”?
“West” is pronounced wehst (/wɛst/ in IPA).
How do you use “west” in a sentence?
Here is “west” used in a sentence: “The house faces west, so we get a great sunset every evening.”
What part of speech is “west”?
Depending on how it is used, “west” can be a noun, an adjective and a name.
Where does the word “west” come from?
The word “west” comes from Old English. Traces back through Old English west to a very old Germanic root tied to the word for "evening" — since west is, after all, where the sun goes down.
Is “west” a common word?
“West” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “west” have?
“West” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the compass direction that the sun sets in; the direction 90 degrees anticlockwise from north.
What is the opposite of west?
East is the opposite of west. If west is where the sun sets, east is where it rises, and the two lie directly across from each other on the compass. North and south form the other pair of opposites, sitting at right angles to the east–west line.
Which direction is west?
West is the direction of the setting sun. If you face north, west is on your left; if you face the rising sun in the east, west is directly behind you. On a standard map, west is the left-hand side, opposite east on the right.
What is the difference between 'west' and 'western'?
West is mainly a noun or adverb naming the direction itself — 'drive to the west.' Western is the adjective describing something that belongs to or comes from that direction, such as western Europe or a western wind. So you travel west, but you live in the western suburbs.
Why does the sun set in the west?
Because the Earth spins from west to east. As the planet rotates, the sun appears to move the opposite way across the sky — rising on the eastern horizon and sinking below the western one. The sun is not really moving; our turning viewpoint is what makes it set in the west.