direction
1 different directions
2 north, south, east, west
3 finding your way
where sb/sth is PLACE
parts and positions of things PLACE
1 different directions
- the line along which sb/sth is moving: direction
I think we're going in the wrong direction. ◎ Which direction is the wind coming from?
- in a direction directly on the other side from sb/sth: in the opposite direction
'Where's Jackie?' 'Didn't you see her? She went off in the opposite direction.'
- in the direction that is in front of you: forwards, forward; adjective (only before a noun): forward
I need to face forwards in trains, otherwise I feel ill. ◎ The car began to move forward. ◎ a sudden forward movement
- in the direction that is behind you: back, backwards, backward; adjective (only before a noun): backward
The police made everybody move back. ◎ He stepped backwards and fell into the river. ◎ a backward movement
- the opposite way to what is usual: backwards
If you look at writing in the mirror, it reads backwards. ◎ to walk backwards
- first in one direction, then the other: backwards and forwards
I've been going backwards and forwards between my flat and the office all day.
- into sth or towards the centre of sth: in, inwards, inward
Could you all move in a little please? ◎ We stood in a circle and faced inwards.
- out of sth or away from the centre of sth: outwards
The ripples on the pond spread outwards. ◎ This door opens outwards.
- towards a higher place: up, upwards, upward; adjective (only before a noun): upward
We looked up, but we couldn't see anything. ◎ an upward movement
- towards a lower place: down, downwards, downward; adjective (only before a noun): downward
Put the cards on the table facing downwards.
- towards the side: sideways (adjective, adverb)
to make a sideways movement ◎ She jumped sideways to avoid the car. ◎ Can you turn your head sideways please?
- in a direction towards the right/left side: right/left
to turn right ◎ to move to the left
※ right and left RIGHT/LEFT
※ going in a particular direction
- the place towards which sb/sth is going: destination
We reached our final destination just before two o' clock in the morning.
- to move in the direction of a place: head for sth, make* for sth
Let's head for that farm in the distance - they might be able to help us.
- to take a direction which leads you away from the main path, road, etc: branch off
We have to branch off at the next road on the left.
2 north, south, east, west
- in a direction towards the north/south/east/west: north, northwards / south, southwards / east, eastwards / west, westwards
We flew north for about an hour and then turned east. ◎ to drive westwards
Note: a north wind, south wind, etc is a wind blowing from (not to) the north, south, etc.
- a railway, road, etc which goes towards the north/south/east/west is northbound/southbound/eastbound/westbound
You have to take the Victoria line southbound to get to the main railway station. ◎ There has been an accident on the northbound carriageway of the M1.
- to a place usually north/south of where you are: up/down
I'm going up north for a job interview next week. ◎ Our cousins from Scotland are coming down to London.
- in or facing the north/south/east/west: north/south/east/west
Her room is in the north wing of the hospital. ◎ the south-west coast of France
- in or from the north/south/east/west of a place: northern/southern/eastern/western
He's got quite a strong northern accent. ◎ the southern states of the US
- coming from or belonging to the East or Far East: Oriental
She's studying Oriental languages at university.
- the part of the world which is furthest north/south, and where it is very cold: North/South Pole; of or near the North or South Pole: polar
These animals are mostly found in the polar regions of the world.
- a person who comes from the north/south of a country: northerner/southerner
3 finding your way
- to find out where you are and in which direction you should be going: find* your way
It's hard to find your way in this place - all the roads look the same.
- not to know where you are or in which direction you should be going: be/get* lost, lose* your way
Oh dear, I think we're lost. ◎ I'm surprised Henry hasn't arrived yet - I hope he hasn't lost his way.
- to tell sb the best way to get to a place: direct sb, give* sb directions
I've given all the guests directions, so nobody should get lost.
- to ask sb how to get to a place, you say How do I get to ※¦ or Can you tell me the way to ※¦ or What's the best way to ※¦
What's the best way to the station from here?
- the ability to find your way easily: sense of direction
Don't ask me where we are - I've got no sense of direction.
※ going from one place to another TRAVEL
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