How Do You Spell WESTWARDS?

Pronunciation: [wˈɛstwədz] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "westwards" is interesting because it includes a silent "d" at the end. This silent "d" is typical of many Old English words that have been carried over into modern usage. The IPA phonetic transcription for "westwards" is /ˈwɛs.twədz/, which represents the English pronunciation of the word. The "w" sound is pronounced like a "hw" in some dialects, while the "s" sound is elongated to indicate the direction of movement. The silent "d" at the end is not pronounced.

WESTWARDS Meaning and Definition

  1. Westwards is an adverb that refers to the direction towards the west, or in the general western direction. It is used to indicate movement or orientation towards the west, or to describe something that is located or positioned in the west, or in the western part of a given area.

    In terms of geographical direction, westwards implies movement or orientation towards the region that lies in the opposite direction of the rising sun and to the left side when facing the north. It is the opposite direction of eastwards. Westwards can be used to describe movement across countries, continents, or even on a smaller scale within a specific area or room.

    The term can also be applied in a figurative sense, indicating progression or advancement. For instance, the phrase "moving westwards" could signify progress towards a particular goal or objective, or the expansion of an organization or industry to the western region.

    In summary, westwards is an adverb that indicates movement, orientation, or the location of something towards the west or in the western direction. It can apply to both physical movement and figurative progression, making it a versatile term in various contexts.

Common Misspellings for WESTWARDS

Etymology of WESTWARDS

The word "westwards" is formed by adding the suffix "-wards" to the word "west". The suffix "-wards" comes from the Middle English "-warde", which originally derived from Old English "-weard" meaning "towards" or "in the direction of".

The word "west" originates from the Old English word "west", which has Germanic roots. It is believed to have evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "*westrōn", meaning "in or into the west". This can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*wes-", meaning "evening" or "night". Over time, "west" came to refer to the direction of the sunset.

So, the etymology of "westwards" traces back to Old English and Proto-Germanic roots, ultimately arising from the ancient Proto-Indo-European language.

Similar spelling words for WESTWARDS

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