east
ihyst
East (noun) means the direction toward which the Earth rotates, where the sun rises. Example: “The hikers headed east toward the rising sun.”
noun
1
The direction toward which the Earth rotates, where the sun rises.
"The hikers headed east toward the rising sun."
"Our new office faces east."
adj
1
Situated in or facing the east.
"They bought a house on the east side of town."
adv
1
Toward the east.
"The road curves east just past the bridge."
name
1
A region defined by its eastward location, such as "the East" referring to Asia or Eastern Europe.
"Trade routes once linked Europe with the riches of the East."
How to use east
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe compass direction where the sun rises, or a region lying in that direction.
Common pairings
due east
the Far East
east of
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Word forms
- Plural
- easts
- Comparative
- further east, farther east
- Superlative
- furthest east, farthest east
Fill the gap
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The hikers headed _____ toward the rising sun.
Etymology
From Old English ēast, an ancient word shared across the Germanic languages, ultimately going back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "dawn."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for east
See all rhymes for east →Frequently asked questions
What does “east” mean?
The word “east” means the direction toward which the Earth rotates, where the sun rises. In plain terms, the compass direction where the sun rises, or a region lying in that direction.
How do you pronounce “east”?
“East” is pronounced ihyst (/iːst/ in IPA).
How do you use “east” in a sentence?
Here is “east” used in a sentence: “The hikers headed east toward the rising sun.”
What is another word for “east”?
Words with a similar meaning to “east” include of and pertaining to the east.
What is the opposite of “east”?
The opposite of “east” — its antonyms — are westward, westerly, antonym(s) of “of, pertaining to the east” and westwards.
What part of speech is “east”?
Depending on how it is used, “east” can be a noun, an adjective, an adverb and a name.
Where does the word “east” come from?
The word “east” comes from Old English. From Old English ēast, an ancient word shared across the Germanic languages, ultimately going back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "dawn.".
Is “east” a common word?
“East” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between east and west?
East and west are opposite directions on the compass. East is where the sun appears to rise and the direction the Earth rotates toward; west is where the sun sets, directly opposite. If you face the sunrise, east is straight ahead and west is directly behind you.
Why does the sun rise in the east?
The sun rises in the east because the Earth spins toward the east, turning from west to east on its axis. As your part of the planet rotates into the sunlight, the sun seems to climb up from the eastern horizon. It only appears to move; in truth, the ground beneath you is turning.
What does 'the East' mean with a capital E?
Capitalized, 'the East' usually refers to a region rather than a pure direction. It often means Asia and its cultures — sometimes called the Orient — as in 'the Far East.' It can also describe the eastern part of a country, such as the East Coast of the United States.
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