west by south: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low FrequencyTechnical, Nautical
Quick answer
What does “west by south” mean?
A compass point, specifically one point (11.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A compass point, specifically one point (11.25°) south of due west.
A precise navigational or directional designation used in sailing, aviation, cartography, and formal descriptions. It represents a point on the 32-wind compass rose.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences; usage is identical and equally rare in both variants. More likely to be encountered in historical or specialist nautical contexts.
Connotations
Connotes traditional navigation, seamanship, and precise orientation. Can sound archaic or highly technical in modern general speech.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday language. Used almost exclusively in specific technical domains like sailing, meteorology (for wind direction), and historical fiction.
Grammar
How to Use “west by south” in a Sentence
[The ship] sailed/coursed [west by south].[The bearing/heading] is [west by south].[The wind] is blowing from [west by south].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “west by south” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The captain ordered a change in heading to west by south.
- The old chart indicated a rock lying at west by south from the lighthouse.
American English
- Our bearing was steady at west by south for three hours.
- The storm is moving on a path of west by south.
adverb
British English
- We are sailing west by south.
- The fleet proceeded west by south along the coast.
American English
- Head west by south until you reach the channel marker.
- The wind shifted and began blowing west by south.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, geographical, or nautical studies.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would only be used by sailing enthusiasts or in very precise directional contexts.
Technical
Primary domain of use: navigation (nautical, aeronautical), cartography, surveying, meteorology (for wind direction).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “west by south”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “west by south”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “west by south”
- Confusing it with 'west-southwest' (which is further south).
- Using it in general conversation where a simpler direction (like 'west' or 'southwest') would suffice, sounding overly precise or pretentious.
- Incorrect word order: 'south by west' is a different point.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialized term. Modern navigation uses degrees (e.g., 258.75°). It is preserved in traditional sailing, historical contexts, and some formal wind descriptions.
'West by south' (WbS) is one compass point (11.25°) south of due west. 'West-southwest' (WSW) is two points (22.5°) south of west. WbS is closer to west than WSW.
It is primarily used as a noun (for a bearing) or an adverb (to describe direction of movement). It is not typically used attributively (e.g., not 'a west by south wind', but 'a wind from west by south').
In traditional compass nomenclature, 'by' signifies 'toward' or 'leaning to'. It indicates the primary direction (west) is modified slightly toward the secondary direction (south).
A compass point, specifically one point (11.
West by south is usually technical, nautical in register.
West by south: in British English it is pronounced /ˌwɛst baɪ ˈsaʊθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌwɛst baɪ ˈsaʊθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
"West BY South" means you start facing West, then turn slightly BY (towards) the South. It's more South than West-North-West but less South than West-South-West.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRECISION IS A POINT ON A COMPASS. DIRECTION IS A HIERARCHICAL RELATIONSHIP (primary direction modified by a secondary one).
Practice
Quiz
In the 32-point compass system, 'west by south' is how many degrees south of due west?