What does southwestward mean?
Southwestward describes movement or orientation toward the southwest, the compass direction lying midway between south and west. It can function as an adverb, as in “The convoy turned southwestward,” or as an adjective modifying a noun, as in “The aircraft maintained a southwestward course.” The word is especially useful when direction is the focus: it distinguishes a bearing or line of travel from merely naming a place in the southwest. Consequently, “a southwestern town” refers to a town’s location or regional character, whereas “a southwestward journey” indicates the direction in which the journey proceeds. The wording is conventional in English but somewhat more formal or literary than the plainer “southwest.” In navigation, geography, and descriptive prose, southwestward clearly joins place, orientation, and movement without requiring a separate preposition.
Toward or in the direction of the southwest.
"The hikers traveled southwestward until they reached the ridge."
Common in descriptions of movement, headings, and orientation.
Directed toward or oriented in the direction of the southwest.
"The pilot reported a southwestward heading."
Typically modifies a noun such as course, direction, bearing, or journey.
Southwest sits midway between south and west, and southwestward names the direction of travel toward that point.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does southwestward come from?
Southwestward is an English compound formed from southwest and the directional suffix -ward, meaning “in the direction of” or “toward.” Southwest combines Old English sūþ, meaning “south,” with west, both of which have Germanic relatives, including German süd and west. The resulting adverb and adjective place the emphasis on the southwest, while -ward specifies direction or orientation.
How southwestward is actually used
The word is conventional in English but somewhat more formal or literary than plain southwest. It emphasizes direction rather than location, so it is not normally used to describe a town or region as being in the southwest.
Easily confused with southwestward
Southwestern describes something located in, belonging to, or associated with the southwest, whereas southwestward indicates direction or movement toward the southwest.