east
- 01 A1 Beginner
n.the direction where the sun rises; on a map, it is to the right.
n.the cardinal point on the compass at 90 degrees, corresponding to the direction of the earth's rotation.
Simple“The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.”
In context“Navigators traditionally rely on the position of the sun in the east to calibrate their instruments during the early hours of the voyage.”
UsageUsually used with the definite article 'the'.
PitfallThe sun rises from east. The sun rises in the east.When referring to the direction itself, use 'in the east'.
- 02 A2 Elementary
n.a part of a country or the world that is in the east.
n.a specific geographical area or region situated in the eastern part of a larger territory.
Simple“Many people moved from the East to the West looking for new jobs.”
In context“Economic disparities between the industrial East and the agrarian West have shaped the country's political landscape for decades.”
UsageOften capitalized when referring to a specific cultural or political region.
Teacher's tipIn a global context, 'the East' often refers to Asia, but in a national context, it refers to the eastern part of that specific country.
- 03 A1 Beginner
adj.describes something that is in or towards the east.
adj.situated in, directed toward, or facing the east.
Simple“We live on the east coast of the island where the beaches are sandy.”
In context“The east wing of the palace was renovated to house the royal collection of eighteenth-century tapestries.”
UsageUsually placed before the noun it describes.
- 04 B1 Intermediate
adj.describes a wind that blows from the east.
adj.denoting a wind blowing from the east toward the west.
Simple“A cold east wind made the afternoon feel much chillier than it was.”
In context“The sailors braced for a biting east wind that threatened to push the vessel further away from the safety of the harbour.”
UsageUnlike most direction adjectives, when describing wind, 'east' means 'coming from the east'.
Teacher's tipRemind students that wind names indicate the source, not the destination.
SynonymseasterlyAntonyms - 05 A2 Elementary
adv.towards the direction of the east.
adv.in an easterly direction; toward the east.
Simple“They drove east for three hours until they reached the ocean.”
In context“The storm system is expected to move east throughout the night, bringing heavy rain to the coastal provinces by dawn.”
UsageTypically follows the verb of motion.
Usage east coast · east continues · east end
By proprialization from east.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.