southwest
southwest — noun
1. The spot on a compass that falls exactly halfway between due south and due west,
The spot on a compass that falls exactly halfway between due south and due west, used for telling where a place lies or which way something moves.
The map shows the village fifteen miles to the southwest of the main city.
the + southwest + of [place] for relative location
Ryo turned his compass needle until it pointed southwest and then began to walk.
pointed southwest — direction without article
The weather report said the storm was moving southwest at twenty miles per hour.
The arrow on the map pointed to the southwest, so the group followed that direction.
- southwestward
more formal and directional, often used in navigation
- SW
abbreviated form used on maps and in written directions
- northeast
the opposite compass direction
文法句型
the + southwest
to/toward the southwest
用法筆記
When used as a pure direction without an article (e.g., 'facing southwest'), it functions adverbially. With 'the' ('to the southwest'), it functions as a noun referring to a point on the compass.
常見錯誤
2. A section of a nation, district, or town that sits toward the southwest, especia
A section of a nation, district, or town that sits toward the southwest, especially when it has its own special qualities such as weather, traditions, or landscape.
The southwest of France is famous for its wine, sunny weather, and long coastline.
the southwest of [country]
Yara grew up in the Southwest, where the desert stretches for hundreds of miles.
capitalised for a specific region
Hugo moved to the southwest of the island because the rent was cheaper there.
The southwest of the national park has the tallest trees and the quietest hiking trails.
- southwestern region
more formal and descriptive
- southwest part
informal, used in everyday conversation
- northeast
the opposite region
文法句型
the + Southwest
in the southwest of [place]
用法筆記
Capitalised (the Southwest) when referring to a recognised region such as the American Southwest or the Southwest of England. Lowercase when used purely descriptively.
常見錯誤
southwest — adjective
1. located in, facing, or moving toward the direction that is between south and wes
located in, facing, or moving toward the direction that is between south and west.
Sofia took the southwest road out of the city to avoid traffic on the highway.
southwest + noun (road)
The southwest corner of the building gets sunlight only in the late afternoon.
southwest corner — common fixed phrase
Eri booked a room on the southwest side of the hotel to view the sunset.
The southwest entrance of the museum is closed for repairs this week.
- southwesterly
slightly more formal; also used for weather patterns
- southwestern
common variant, especially for geographical features
- northeast
opposite location or direction
文法句型
southwest + noun
用法筆記
This adjective is always placed before the noun it modifies (attributive position), unlike the adverb form which follows verbs of motion.
常見錯誤
2. describing a wind that blows from the southwest direction toward the northeast.
describing a wind that blows from the southwest direction toward the northeast.
A warm southwest wind swept across the valley, bringing relief from the morning chill.
southwest wind — standard meteorological term
The sailors welcomed the southwest breeze that filled their sails and pushed the boat forward.
A strong southwest gale knocked down several trees along the coastal road.
The old fisherman knew a southwest wind meant rain would arrive before evening.
- southwesterly
more common in formal weather forecasts
- northeast wind
wind from the opposite direction
文法句型
southwest + wind / breeze / gale
用法筆記
Only used with wind-related nouns. A 'southwest wind' comes from the southwest, not toward it — this is the opposite meaning from the location sense (adj/1).
常見錯誤
southwest — adverb
1. Used after verbs of travel or movement to mean going or facing the compass point
Used after verbs of travel or movement to mean going or facing the compass point that lies exactly halfway between south and west.
The hikers decided to head southwest after they saw dark clouds gathering in the north.
head / go / travel + southwest
The river flows southwest through three states before reaching the ocean.
Charlotte studied the map and told the driver to turn southwest at the crossroads.
The birds flew southwest when the cold weather arrived in early autumn.
- southwestward
more formal; 'southwestwards' is British usage
- SW
abbreviation used in written directions
- northeast
the opposite direction of travel
文法句型
verb + southwest
head / go / travel / move southwest
用法筆記
Unlike the adjective and noun forms, the adverb takes no article or preposition — it directly follows the verb ('turn southwest', not 'turn to the southwest'). However, 'to the southwest' is also common and idiomatic.