# westerly

/ˈwɛstɝɫi/ (US) · /wˈɛstəli/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/westerly
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

coming from the west, especially when talking about the wind. You use this to describe the direction a breeze or storm is moving from.

For teachers: situated towards or moving from the west. Often used to describe prevailing winds or weather patterns; typically precedes the noun it modifies.

## Examples

- A strong westerly wind blew across the coast.
- The sailors adjusted their course to account for the steady westerly breeze pushing them toward the shore.
- Meteorologists predicted that the arrival of a cold westerly front would bring significant rainfall to the valley by early Tuesday morning.

## Pitfalls

- Not "a westerly direction to the sea" but "a westerly direction" — Westerly already implies 'from' or 'towards' the west; adding extra directional prepositions can be redundant.

## Usage notes

- Typically used as an adjective before a noun, though it can function as an adverb meaning 'towards the west'.

---

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.