English · Word Candidate

southwest

/saʊθˈwɛst/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: southwests

Sense 1

Meaning · English

The intercardinal compass point halfway between south and west; specifically at a bearing of 225°.

Noun

Examples

So this was my future home, I thought![…]Backed by towering hills, the but faintly discernible purple line of the French boundary off to the southwest, a sky of palest Gobelin flecked with fat, fleecy little clouds, it in truth looked a dear little city; the city of one's dreams.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Of, in or pertaining to the southwest; southwestern.

Adjective

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

Situated toward or in the direction of the southwest; southwestward; southwesterly.

Adjective

Examples

A southwest course.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

Towards or in the direction of the southwest; southwestwards.

Adverb

Examples

We are travelling southwest at the moment.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “southwest” mean?

The intercardinal compass point halfway between south and west; specifically at a bearing of 225°.

Is “southwest” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.