# southwestern

/ˌsaʊθˈwɛstɝn/ (US) · /saʊθwˈɛstən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/southwestern
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 2. culture or style

adjective · CEFR B2 · American English

relating to the culture, food, or style of a specific southwestern region, especially in the US.

For teachers: pertaining to the cultural or aesthetic characteristics of a specific region designated as southwestern, most commonly the American Southwest.

- We had southwestern food for dinner, which included spicy beans and corn.
- The hotel's interior design features southwestern motifs, incorporating desert colours and traditional textile patterns from the region.

Teaching tip: In a global context, this often refers specifically to the US states like Arizona and New Mexico unless another country is mentioned.

## Examples

- We are traveling to the southwestern part of the state.
- The southwestern desert regions experience very little rainfall during the summer months.
- Architects in the region often incorporate southwestern design elements, such as adobe walls and flat roofs, to help buildings stay cool in the intense heat.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.