west-facing
|west-face-ing|
/ˈwɛstˌfeɪsɪŋ/
oriented toward the west
Etymology
'west-facing' is a compound formed from 'west' (Old English 'west', from Proto-Germanic *westr-, meaning 'west') and the present participle 'facing' from the verb 'face' (from Old French 'face', ultimately from Latin 'facies' meaning 'appearance').
'west' comes from Old English 'west' (from Proto-Germanic *westr-). 'Face' entered English via Old French 'face' from Latin 'facies'. In modern English these elements combined as a compound phrase 'west-facing' to describe orientation.
The individual elements originally meant 'the west' and 'to turn toward/appear'; combined, they came to mean 'oriented toward the west'—a straightforward compositional meaning that has remained stable.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
oriented toward the west; having a side or aspect that faces west (often used of buildings, windows, or slopes).
They chose a west-facing apartment to get the afternoon sun.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/29 06:18