westward
gb/wˈɛstwɚd/ us/wˈɛstwɚd/
A2
English
~ 5000
Senses
0 senses
adverb
A2
relation
1
In the direction of the west
Moving or facing toward the west.
Usage pattern:
to go/move/travel [westward]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'westward' with 'west', but 'westward' emphasizes direction of movement rather than a location.
Synonyms
westwards (Variant form, more common in British English.)
Antonyms
eastward (Indicates movement toward the east, the opposite direction.)
Collocations
westward journey
|westward expansion
|head westward
|move westward
|travel westward
Themes
geography
|travel
|navigation
|space
Examples
- The explorers continued westward until they reached the coast.
- We sailed westward into the setting sun.
- The storm is moving westward across the region.
Learner examples
- The car is going westward.
- They walk westward to the park.
- The river flows westward to the sea.
adjective
B1
relation
2
Moving or facing toward the west
Going or pointing to the west.
Usage pattern:
a [westward] [movement/route/trend]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'westward' (directional adjective) with 'western' (describing location or culture).
Synonyms
westerly ('Westerly' can mean coming from the west or toward the west depending on context; slightly more technical.)
Antonyms
eastward (Moving or facing toward the east.)
Collocations
westward route
|westward migration
|westward wind
Themes
geography
|travel
|space
Examples
- They began a long westward migration in search of land.
- The ship took a westward course across the ocean.
- A strong westward current carried the boat away.
Learner examples
- We take a westward road.
- The plane has a westward path.
- The train makes a westward trip.
Grammar
Dictionary form
westward
IPA
GB/wˈɛstwɚd/
US/wˈɛstwɚd/
Syllables & stress
west - ward (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (west)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: westward
Word family
Expressions
go westward
1/ɡˈoʊ wˈɛstwɚd/
fixed phrase
Travel in a western direction
To travel toward the west.
Examples
- After lunch, we will go westward to reach the mountains.
- Many settlers went westward in search of new land.
head westward
1/hˈɛd wˈɛstwɚd/
fixed phrase
Begin traveling toward the west
To start going toward the west.
Examples
- They decided to head westward at dawn.
- The army headed westward after securing the city.