downwind
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adverb:
- In the direction that the wind is blowing: Moving or positioned so that the wind is blowing from behind towards the direction of travel or location.
- On or towards the side sheltered from the wind: Positioned away from the source of the wind.
Adjective:
- Situated or moving in the direction the wind is blowing: Describing a position or movement aligned with the wind's direction.
- Located on the side away from the wind: Describing the leeward side, sheltered from the direct force of the wind.
Usage Examples
- Adverb:
- The smoke drifted downwind from the campfire. (The smoke moved in the same direction the wind was blowing.)
- For safety, always position yourself downwind of the animal when tracking. (Position yourself so the wind blows from the animal towards you, carrying your scent away.)
- Adjective:
- We anchored in the downwind side of the island. (We anchored on the side of the island sheltered from the wind.)
- The downwind leg of the race was much faster. (The part of the race where the boats sailed with the wind behind them was faster.)
Advanced Usage
- In meteorology and aviation: Used to describe the direction relative to a wind source. The opposite of upwind.
- The airport approach path is downwind of the mountain range. (The approach path is located where the wind flows from the mountains towards it.)
- In sailing and navigation: A critical term for describing course relative to the wind.
- Sailing downwind requires a different sail configuration. (Sailing with the wind requires adjusting the sails.)
Variants and Related Words
- Downwind is often used in contrast with its direct antonym:
- Upwind (adv. & adj.): In or towards the direction from which the wind is blowing.
- Related compound nouns (listed separately as they are not the target word itself):
- Downwind turn: A turn made while flying with the wind.
- Downwind sail: A sail optimized for sailing with the wind.
Synonyms
- Leeward (adv. & adj.): On or towards the side sheltered from the wind. (More technical, often used in sailing and meteorology.)
- With the wind: A descriptive phrase meaning in the same direction as the wind is blowing.
Antonyms
- Upwind (adv. & adj.): Against the wind; on the side from which the wind is blowing.
- Windward (adv. & adj.): Facing the wind or on the side from which the wind is blowing.
Related Phrases
- To be/go downwind of something: To be or move to a position where the wind blows from that thing towards you.
- The town was downwind of the factory, so it often smelled of chemicals. (The wind carried smells from the factory to the town.)
- To sail/run downwind: To sail or travel with the wind coming from behind.
- The yacht picked up speed as it began to run downwind. (The yacht went faster when sailing with the wind.)
Adjective
- towards the side away from the wind
Adverb
- away from the wind
- they were sailing windward
- with the wind; in the direction the wind is blowing
- they flew downwind