Southwest vs. West — What's the Difference?

Abbr. SW The direction or point on the mariner's compass halfway between due south and due west, or 135° west of due north.

West is one of the four cardinal directions or points of the compass. It is the opposite direction from east, and is the direction in which the sun sets.

An area or region lying in the southwest.

The cardinal point on the mariner's compass 270° clockwise from due north and directly opposite east.

Southwest A region of the southwest United States generally including New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, California, and Nevada and sometimes Utah and Colorado.

The direction opposite to the direction of the earth's axial rotation.

To, toward, of, facing, or in the southwest.

An area or region lying in the west.

Originating in or coming from the southwest

The western part of the earth, especially Europe and the Western Hemisphere.

In, from, or toward the southwest.

The western part of a region or country.

The intercardinal compass point halfway between south and west; specifically at a bearing of 225°.

A historical region of the United States west of the Allegheny Mountains.

Of, in or pertaining to the southwest; southwestern.

The region of the United States west of the Mississippi River.

Situated toward or in the direction of the southwest; southwestward; southwesterly.

The United States, Canada, and the noncommunist countries of Europe, especially during the Cold War.

Coming from the southwest; southwesterly.

The nations of North America and Europe with developed capitalist economies, especially in contrast to less-developed nations.

Towards or in the direction of the southwest; southwestwards.

The end of a church opposite the altar. Also called liturgical west.

The point of the compass equally from the south and the west; the southwest part or region.

To, toward, of, facing, or in the west.

Pertaining to, or in the direction of, the southwest; proceeding toward the southwest; coming from the southwest; as, a southwest wind.

Originating in or coming from the west

The compass point midway between south and west; at 225 degrees

In, from, or toward the west.

The southwestern region of the United States

One of the four principal compass points, specifically 270°, conventionally directed to the left on maps; the direction of the setting sun at an equinox.

Coming from the southwest;

The western region or area; the inhabitants thereof.

Situated in or oriented toward the southwest

(ecclesiastical) In a church: the direction of the gallery, opposite to the altar, and opposite to the direction faced by the priest when celebrating ad orientem.

To, toward, or in the southwest

Situated or lying in or toward the west; westward.

(meteorology) Of wind: from the west.

Of or pertaining to the west; western.

From the West; occidental.

(ecclesiastial) Designating, or situated in, the liturgical west, that part of a church which is opposite to, and farthest from, the part containing the chancel.

Towards the west; westwards.

To move to the west; (of the sun) to set.

The point in the heavens where the sun is seen to set at the equinox; or, the corresponding point on the earth; that one of the four cardinal points of the compass which is in a direction at right angles to that of north and south, and on the left hand of a person facing north; the point directly opposite to east.

A country, or region of country, which, with regard to some other country or region, is situated in the direction toward the west.

The Westen hemisphere, or the New World so called, it having been discovered by sailing westward from Europe; the Occident.

Lying toward the west; situated at the west, or in a western direction from the point of observation or reckoning; proceeding toward the west, or coming from the west; as, a west course is one toward the west; an east and west line; a west wind blows from the west.

Designating, or situated in, that part of a church which is opposite to, and farthest from, the east, or the part containing the chancel and choir.

Westward.

To pass to the west; to set, as the sun.

To turn or move toward the west; to veer from the north or south toward the west.

The countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North and South America

The cardinal compass point that is a 270 degrees

The region of the United States lying to the west of the Mississippi River

British writer (born in Ireland) (1892-1983)

United States film actress (1892-1980)

English painter (born in America) who became the second president of the Royal Academy (1738-1820)

Situated in or facing or moving toward the west

To, toward, or in the west;