western
UK: ˈwɛstən | US: ˈwɛstərn
adj. relating to the west or its direction
adj. characteristic of or originating from the Western world (e.g., Europe, Americas)
n. a film, novel, or genre set in the American Old West
western = west<direction> + ern<adjective suffix>
- west: From Old English west, meaning "the direction of the sunset," derived from Proto-Germanic westrą.
- ern: An Old English suffix (-erne) used to form adjectives denoting direction or origin (e.g., eastern, northern).
Etymology Origin:
The word western combines west, rooted in the Germanic concept of the sunset direction, with -ern, a directional suffix. Originally describing physical orientation, it later expanded to cultural contexts (e.g., Western civilization) and the American frontier genre.
The western sky glowed orange at sunset.
Western democracies emphasize individual freedoms.
He collects vintage western novels about cowboys.
The company expanded its operations to western Europe.
This film is a classic western with dramatic shootouts.