Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Moving toward the west: Located in or moving in the direction of the west.
   • Of wind; from the west: Describing a wind that originates in the west and blows toward the east.

2. Adverb:

   • From the west: In a direction or manner coming from the west.
   • Toward the west: In a direction or manner moving to the west.

3. Noun:

   • The winds from the west that occur in the temperate zones of the Earth: Specifically, the prevailing winds that blow from the west in the mid-latitudes.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The ship set off on a westerly course across the Atlantic.
  • A strong westerly wind made sailing difficult.

• Adverb:

  • The storm moved westerly, away from the coast.
  • They traveled westerly for several days.

• Noun:

  • The westerlies bring moist air to the region.
  • Sailors relied on the prevailing westerlies for their voyages.

Advanced Usage

• "Westerly component": In meteorology or navigation, the part of a wind or movement that is directed toward or from the west.

  • The wind had a strong westerly component, pushing the clouds inland.

• "In a westerly direction": A common phrase to specify movement or orientation.

  • The highway extends in a westerly direction from the city.

Variants and Related Words

• Westerlies (n, plural): The specific belt of prevailing westerly winds in the mid-latitudes.

  • The Roaring Forties are a zone of powerful westerlies in the Southern Hemisphere.

• Westward (adj/adv): Similar in meaning, often used interchangeably with 'westerly' for direction, though 'westward' is more general and 'westerly' often implies a specific bearing or wind.

  • They continued their westward journey.

Synonyms

• Westbound: Moving toward the west (for direction/travel).
• Western: Of or relating to the west (more general for location, less specific for movement or wind).

Related Phrases

• Prevailing westerly: The most frequent wind direction from the west in a given area.

  • The prevailing westerly winds moderate the climate.

• Westerly gale: A very strong wind blowing from the west.

  • The westerly gale caused significant damage to the coastline.

Adjective

1. moving toward the west
   • westbound pioneers
2. of wind; from the west

Adverb

1. from the west
   • the wind blew westerly
2. toward the west
   • we began to steer away westerly- Daniel Defoe

Noun

1. the winds from the west that occur in the temperate zones of the Earth