western
WEHS-tuhn
Western (adj) means Of, in, or relating to the west. Example: “They grew up in a small town in western Kansas.”
adj
1
Of, in, or relating to the west.
"They grew up in a small town in western Kansas."
"The house has a lovely western-facing terrace."
noun
1
A film, novel, or other story set in the American frontier of the 1800s, usually featuring cowboys, outlaws, and lawmen.
"His grandfather never missed a western on Saturday afternoon TV."
"The director is best known for gritty, revisionist westerns."
2
A native or resident of a western region.
"Westerners flocked to California during the gold rush."
How to use western
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to the west, or a cowboy-era story/film genre.
Common pairings
spaghetti western
western civilization
western front
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Word forms
- Plural
- westerns
- Comparative
- more western
- Superlative
- most western, westernmost
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They grew up in a small town in _____ Kansas.
Etymology
From Old English westerne, formed from west plus the adjective ending -ern, seen also in "northern" and "eastern."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for western
See all rhymes for western →Frequently asked questions
What does “western” mean?
The word “western” means of, in, or relating to the west. In plain terms, relating to the west, or a cowboy-era story/film genre.
How do you pronounce “western”?
“Western” is pronounced WEHS-tuhn (/ˈwɛstɚn/ in IPA).
How do you use “western” in a sentence?
Here is “western” used in a sentence: “They grew up in a small town in western Kansas.”
What part of speech is “western”?
Depending on how it is used, “western” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “western” come from?
The word “western” comes from Old English. From Old English westerne, formed from west plus the adjective ending -ern, seen also in "northern" and "eastern.".
Is “western” a common word?
“Western” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “western” have?
“Western” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: of, in, or relating to the west.
What is the difference between western and westerly?
Western usually describes something located in or belonging to the west, as in 'western France.' Westerly describes direction or movement, especially of wind — a westerly wind blows from the west. Put simply, western tends to tell you where something is, while westerly tells you which way.
What does Western mean when talking about culture?
With a capital W, Western refers to the cultures, values, and countries of Europe and the Americas, rooted in Greek, Roman, and Christian traditions — as contrasted with Eastern or other cultures. It appears in phrases like Western art, Western philosophy, Western medicine, and the Western world.
What is the opposite of western?
The direct opposite is eastern, relating to the east. Depending on context, western can also contrast with central, northern, or southern when a region is divided, or with 'Eastern' and 'Oriental' when describing broad cultural spheres of the world.
What is a western?
Used as a noun, a western is a film, book, or TV show set in the American Old West, typically featuring cowboys, frontier towns, and the nineteenth-century frontier. The genre takes its name from the adjective's link to the western United States.
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