southwest

American  

[south-west, sou-west] / ˌsaʊθˈwɛst, ˌsaʊˈwɛst /

noun

1. the point or direction midway between south and west. SW

2. a region in this direction.

3. the Southwest, the southwest region of the United States.

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adjective

1. lying toward, situated in, or directed toward the southwest.

2. coming from the southwest, as a wind.

adverb

1. in the direction midway between south and west.

southwest ¹ British  

/ ˌsaʊˈwɛst, ˌsaʊθˈwɛst /

noun

1. the point of the compass or the direction midway between west and south, 225° clockwise from north

2. any area lying in or towards this direction

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adjective

1. (sometimes capital) of or denoting the southwestern part of a specified country, area, etc

   southwest Italy

2. situated in or towards the southwest

3. (esp of the wind) from the southwest

adverb

1. in, to, towards, or (esp of the wind) from the southwest

Southwest ² British  

/ ˌsaʊθˈwɛst /

noun

1. the southwestern part of Britain, esp Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset

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Other Word Forms

• southwestern adjective
• southwesternmost adjective

Etymology

Origin of southwest

before 900; Middle English; Old English sūthwest. See south, west

Example Sentences

"We are the green ribbon that goes around the coast of the southwest," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

But at the southwest corner of the square, you might think the plaza is called “le owro squ,” because of all the missing letters.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

A newly identified fossil site in southwest China is changing scientists' understanding of how complex animal life first developed on Earth.

From Science Daily • Apr. 6, 2026

The southwest islands—like the rest of Japan as well as Taiwan and the Philippines—are part of what’s called the first island chain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

The glass factory prospered, and the owner decided to expand the business by moving it to Kraków, a thriving city about three hundred fifty miles southwest of Narewka.

From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson