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

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 juvenile whale, affectionately dubbed "Willapa Willy" by locals, was first spotted last Wednesday in the north fork of the river, about 145 miles southwest of Seattle, the marine mammal research group said.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

Japan is doubling down on a shift to its strategic southwest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

The sound seemed to be coming from the southwest over behind the church somewhere, but there wasn’t anything to be seen.

From "My Brother Sam is Dead" by James Lincoln Collier and Christopher Collier