west-southwest: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (specialized/technical)Technical (nautical, meteorological, geographical), formal written
Quick answer
What does “west-southwest” mean?
The compass point or direction midway between west and southwest.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The compass point or direction midway between west and southwest.
Any location, region, or wind that originates from or is situated in the west-southwest direction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both use the same compound form.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “west-southwest” in a Sentence
The [noun] is located west-southwest of [place].A [noun] is blowing from the west-southwest.Set a course for [place] on a west-southwest bearing.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “west-southwest” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- The ship sailed west-southwest for six hours.
- The village lies west-southwest of the city.
American English
- Turn west-southwest at the junction.
- The front is moving west-southwest.
adjective
British English
- We are monitoring the west-southwest approach.
- Take the west-southwest track.
American English
- The plane is on a west-southwest heading.
- A west-southwest wind is expected.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used except in logistics/aviation contexts (e.g., 'The storm's path is west-southwest.').
Academic
Used in geography, meteorology, and navigation papers for precise directional description.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation; simplified to 'from the west' or 'from the southwest'.
Technical
Standard term in navigation (nautical/aeronautical), meteorology (wind reporting), surveying, and mapping.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “west-southwest”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “west-southwest”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “west-southwest”
- Hyphenation: Incorrectly writing 'west southwest' or 'west-south-west'. Correct form is 'west-southwest'.
- Using it in non-directional contexts (e.g., 'a west-southwest culture').
- Mispronouncing by placing equal stress on all three parts; primary stress is on the final 'west'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a single compound word, correctly written with two hyphens: west-southwest.
247.5 degrees. It is exactly halfway between west (270°) and southwest (225°).
In technical contexts requiring precision, such as navigation, aviation, meteorology, or surveying. In everyday talk, 'southwest' or 'from the west' is sufficient.
In technical contexts, 'WSW' is the standard abbreviation. There is no true single-word synonym; less precise alternatives are 'southwesterly' or 'westerly'.
The compass point or direction midway between west and southwest.
West-southwest is usually technical (nautical, meteorological, geographical), formal written in register.
West-southwest: in British English it is pronounced /ˌwest saʊθˈwest/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌwɛst ˌsaʊθˈwɛst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To steer a west-southwest course (literal, not idiomatic).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a clock face: West is 9 o'clock, Southwest is 7:30. West-southwest is the point halfway between them, at about 8 o'clock.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIRECTION IS A POINT ON A COMPASS; PRECISION IS IMPORTANT.
Practice
Quiz
What is the correct abbreviation for 'west-southwest'?