west: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A1Neutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “west” mean?
The direction or compass point that is the opposite of east, where the sun sets.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The direction or compass point that is the opposite of east, where the sun sets; the area lying in this direction from a central point.
The western part of a country, region, or the world, often associated with specific cultural, economic, or political characteristics (e.g., Western Europe, the American West). In the context of the 'Global West', it denotes countries with historically shared cultural, political, and economic systems (e.g., Europe, North America, Australia).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'go west' can be an informal idiom for 'break down' or 'fail'. In American English, 'the West' is a strong cultural and historical concept (Wild West, American West).
Connotations
UK: 'West' often connotes prosperity (West London) and may hold less specific cultural weight than the US concept. US: 'West' carries strong connotations of frontier, opportunity, freedom, and Manifest Destiny, and is central to national identity.
Frequency
The term 'the West' (capitalized, referring to a cultural bloc) is highly frequent in political and academic discourse in both varieties, but the specific phrase 'the American West' is significantly more common in US English.
Grammar
How to Use “west” in a Sentence
N of the westV westAdj westwest of NPfrom the westVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “west” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- The hikers travelled west across the Yorkshire Dales.
- The river flows west into the Irish Sea.
American English
- We drove west on I-90 until we reached Montana.
- The population shift is moving steadily west.
adjective
British English
- The west wing of the manor was added in the 18th century.
- A strong west wind brought rain from the Atlantic.
American English
- She took a road trip through the West Coast states.
- They bought a house on the west side of town.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The company is expanding its operations into the West Coast markets."
Academic
"The geopolitical tensions between the West and the East have shaped the last century."
Everyday
"The storm is coming in from the west, so we should close the windows on that side."
Technical
"The aircraft adjusted its heading to 270 degrees, due west."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “west”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “west”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “west”
- Using 'west' as a verb (it's not, except in the idiom 'go west'). Confusing 'west' (direction) with 'western' (adjective or genre).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Capitalise 'West' when it refers to a specific region or cultural/political entity (e.g., the American West, the West vs. the East). Do not capitalise it when referring to a general direction (e.g., travel west).
No, 'west' is not a standard verb in modern English. The direction is expressed using verbs like 'go', 'head', 'travel', 'move' followed by 'west' as an adverb (e.g., 'head west'). The idiom 'go west' is a phrasal verb meaning to fail or be destroyed.
'West' is primarily a noun (the west) or an adjective for specific names (West Coast). 'Western' is the general adjective for things related to the west (a western wind, western culture). 'Western' can also be a noun for a genre of fiction/film about the American West.
In geopolitics, 'the West' (often capitalised) refers broadly to countries with historically shared cultural, politicalliberal democracy), and economic (capitalism) roots, typically including Western Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Its definition is fluid and debated.
The direction or compass point that is the opposite of east, where the sun sets.
West is usually neutral to formal in register.
West: in British English it is pronounced /wɛst/, and in American English it is pronounced /wɛst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go west (UK informal: fail/die)”
- “wild west”
- “the West has the best”
- “the sun sets in the west”
- “out west”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
WEST: Where the Sun Sets. Remember, on a standard map, West is always on the LEFT side.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE FUTURE/DEATH IS WESTWARD MOVEMENT (e.g., 'He went west' meaning he died; 'Go West, young man' for opportunity).
Practice
Quiz
In British English, the idiom 'to go west' typically means: