southwest by south: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Technical/Specialized)Technical (Navigation, Sailing), Archaic/Literary
Quick answer
What does “southwest by south” mean?
A precise compass point located one point (11.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A precise compass point located one point (11.25°) clockwise from southwest and one point (11.25°) counterclockwise from west-southwest.
In navigation and meteorology, indicates a direction more precisely than a cardinal or intercardinal point; sometimes used poetically or metaphorically to denote very precise orientation or subtle directional shifts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Usage is equally rare in both varieties. British nautical tradition may preserve the term slightly more in historical or ceremonial contexts.
Connotations
Connotes traditional seamanship, precision, and possibly antiquated knowledge. In everyday use, it would sound archaic or overly technical.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general language. Primarily found in nautical manuals, historical fiction, or poetry.
Grammar
How to Use “southwest by south” in a Sentence
The wind is coming from [southwest by south].Set the course to [southwest by south].Their bearing was [southwest by south].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “southwest by south” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The old captain ordered a change of heading to southwest by south.
- The gale was blowing a steady force 8 from the southwest by south.
American English
- Our bearing, according to the sextant, was southwest by south.
- The weather vane pointed stubbornly toward southwest by south.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Possibly in historical studies of navigation or maritime history.
Everyday
Extremely uncommon; would likely be replaced with 'southwest' or 'a bit south of southwest'.
Technical
The primary context: nautical navigation, sailing, meteorology (for wind direction in some traditional reports).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “southwest by south”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “southwest by south”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “southwest by south”
- Confusing it with 'south-southwest' (SSW) or 'west-southwest' (WSW).
- Using it in casual conversation where 'southwest' is sufficient.
- Incorrect abbreviation (e.g., using SWBS instead of the standard SWbS).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. They are distinct points on the 32-point compass. Southwest by south (SWbS) is one point clockwise from southwest. South-southwest (SSW) is one point counterclockwise from south.
Almost never in modern everyday life. Its use is restricted to traditional nautical navigation, historical reenactment, certain meteorological observations, or in poetic/literary contexts to evoke precision or a maritime setting.
The standard abbreviation in navigation is SWbS.
Southwest by south corresponds to 236.25 degrees true.
A precise compass point located one point (11.
Southwest by south is usually technical (navigation, sailing), archaic/literary in register.
Southwest by south: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsaʊθˈwɛst baɪ ˈsaʊθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsaʊθˈwɛst baɪ ˈsaʊθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a compass. 'Southwest' is the main direction. 'By south' means leaning towards the 'south' from that main point. So from southwest, move one tick closer to south.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRECISION IS A POINT ON A COMPASS; TRADITION IS AN OLD MAP.
Practice
Quiz
In the traditional 32-point compass system, how many points is 'southwest by south' from due south?