southwest

The direction halfway between south and west.

• The storm came from the southwest.
• They live in the southwest of France.
• The compass points toward the southwest.

How to use it: the southwest of somewhere (The village is in the southwest of the country.); to the southwest of somewhere (The island lies to the southwest of the mainland.)

Opposites: northeast

Common phrases: to the southwest, from the southwest, the southwest of

Located in, or pointing toward, the direction halfway between south and west.

• Use the southwest entrance.
• Their house stands on the southwest coast.
• The ship followed a southwest course.

Similar words: southwesterly

Opposites: northeast

Common phrases: southwest corner, southwest coast, southwest direction

Coming from the direction halfway between south and west.

• A southwest wind brought warmer air.
• The southwest breeze cooled the beach.
• Strong southwest winds delayed the sailing race.

Similar words: southwesterly

Opposites: northeast

Common phrases: southwest wind, southwest breeze, southwest winds

Toward the direction halfway between south and west.

• We drove southwest for an hour.
• The birds are flying southwest.
• Turn southwest when you reach the river.

Similar words: southwestward, southwesterly

Opposites: northeast

Common phrases: head southwest, travel southwest, turn southwest