west-northwest: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “west-northwest” mean?
The compass point exactly midway between west and northwest.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The compass point exactly midway between west and northwest.
A precise direction or location 22.5° south of due northwest; often used in navigation, meteorology, and geography to specify wind direction, movement, or position.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Minor stylistic differences may exist in hyphenation or phrasing (e.g., 'west by north-west' as a variant in older British navigation).
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both dialects. Associated with precision, navigation, and meteorology.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, used almost exclusively in technical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “west-northwest” in a Sentence
[Location] is (situated/positioned) west-northwest of [Reference Point].The [Wind/Storm] is moving/coming from the west-northwest.We set a course for west-northwest.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “west-northwest” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- We sailed west-northwest for six hours before sighting land.
American English
- The front is moving west-northwest at 15 miles per hour.
adjective
British English
- A steady west-northwest wind is expected across the channel.
American English
- The storm is on a west-northwest trajectory towards the coast.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially used in logistics, shipping, or aviation contexts to describe routes or wind conditions affecting operations.
Academic
Used in geography, meteorology, oceanography, and navigation studies as a precise directional term.
Everyday
Extremely rare in casual conversation. Might appear in detailed weather forecasts, hiking, or sailing discussions.
Technical
Common in meteorology (wind direction reports), aviation (flight paths), marine navigation (bearings), and cartography.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “west-northwest”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “west-northwest”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “west-northwest”
- Confusing it with 'northwest' or 'west by north'. Writing without hyphens ('west northwest'). Incorrect pronunciation as two separate, unconnected words.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is abbreviated as 'WNW' in both weather reports and navigation charts.
West-northwest corresponds to a bearing of 292.5° on a standard 360-degree compass.
Yes. 'West-northwest' is the midpoint (22.5° from west). 'West by north' (WbN) is one point (11.25°) away from west towards north, an older 32-point compass division.
You would use it in contexts requiring high precision, such as filing a detailed aviation flight plan, giving a precise maritime bearing, or in a scientific meteorological report on wind direction.
The compass point exactly midway between west and northwest.
West-northwest is usually technical/formal in register.
West-northwest: in British English it is pronounced /ˌwɛst nɔːθˈwɛst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌwɛst nɔrθˈwɛst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a clock face where West is at 9 o'clock and Northwest is at 10:30. West-northwest is exactly halfway between them, at 9:45 or 22.5 degrees up from due West.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIRECTION AS A POINT ON A COMPASS / PRECISION AS A FRACTION.
Practice
Quiz
West-northwest is one of how many principal intercardinal directions?