eastern
EE-stuhn
Eastern (adj) means Located in, facing, or relating to the east. Example: “The eastern side of the house gets lovely sunlight at breakfast time.”
adj
1
Located in, facing, or relating to the east.
"The eastern side of the house gets lovely sunlight at breakfast time."
"They grew up in an eastern suburb of the city."
"Eastern Europe has a rich and varied history."
"Another ANC splinter party, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK), led by former President Jacob Zuma appears to be on course to do well in KwaZulu-Natal, the eastern coastal province where Durban is located."
— Sarah Dean and David McKenzie, First results in South Africa’s election suggest it is heading for biggest political shift since apartheid (2024)
How to use eastern
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBelonging to or found in the east.
Common pairings
Eastern Europe
eastern seaboard
Eastern time
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more eastern
- Superlative
- most eastern, easternmost
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The _____ side of the house gets lovely sunlight at breakfast time.
Etymology
From Old English ēasterne, from east plus a suffix meaning "belonging to."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for eastern
See all rhymes for eastern →Frequently asked questions
What does “eastern” mean?
The word “eastern” means located in, facing, or relating to the east. In plain terms, belonging to or found in the east.
How do you pronounce “eastern”?
“Eastern” is pronounced EE-stuhn (/ˈi.stɚn/ in IPA).
How do you use “eastern” in a sentence?
Here is “eastern” used in a sentence: “They grew up in an eastern suburb of the city.”
What part of speech is “eastern”?
“Eastern” is an adjective.
Where does the word “eastern” come from?
The word “eastern” comes from Old English. From Old English ēasterne, from east plus a suffix meaning "belonging to.".
Is “eastern” a common word?
“Eastern” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'eastern' and 'eastward'?
'Eastern' describes position or origin — something located in, facing, or belonging to the east, like the eastern coast. 'Eastward' describes direction of movement — going toward the east, as in 'sailing eastward.' In short, eastern tells you where something is, while eastward tells you which way it's heading.
When should 'Eastern' be capitalised?
Capitalise 'Eastern' when it forms part of a proper name or a recognised region or zone, such as Eastern Europe, the Eastern United States, or Eastern Time. Use lowercase for a general direction or position, as in 'the eastern edge of town.' The capital signals an official or cultural region.
What is the difference between Eastern and Western?
As directions, they're opposites: eastern relates to the east, western to the west. Culturally, 'Eastern' often refers to the countries and traditions of Asia, while 'Western' refers to Europe and the Americas. The intended meaning — compass direction or cultural region — depends on context.
What is the opposite of eastern?
The direct opposite is 'western,' relating to the west. Depending on context, 'northern' and 'southern' are contrasting directions rather than true opposites. When 'Eastern' refers to a cultural region such as Asia, its usual counterpart is the 'Western' world of Europe and the Americas.
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