Meaning & use
east
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Meanings
noununcountable
The direction from which the sun rises, opposite to west, one of the four main compass points.
Grammar: Usually used with 'the': the east. No plural form.
Patterns
- the east of
- in the east
- to the east
The sun rises in the east.
The east of the country is more mountainous.
The wind is coming from the east.
adjectivebefore a noun
Coming from or situated in the east.
Grammar: Used before a noun: east wind, east side. Not used after a verb.
Patterns
- east wind
- east side
- east coast
A cold east wind blew all night.
They live on the east side of the city.
The east coast is known for its beaches.
adverb
Toward the east.
Grammar: Used after verbs of movement: go east, travel east.
Patterns
- go east
- travel east
- head east
The train travels east for two hours.
We drove east until we reached the coast.
The birds fly east in the spring.
Common combinations
- the East
- She studied the history of the East.
- east of
- The town is east of the river.
- East Coast
- Many tech companies are on the East Coast.
- Middle East
- The Middle East has a rich cultural heritage.
Synonyms and how they differ
- eastward
- Means 'toward the east' and is more formal; used especially in writing.
Opposites
Word family
- eastern adjective
- Relating to the east.
- eastward adverb
- Toward the east.
- eastbound adjective
- Traveling or leading toward the east.
Commonly confused: east or eastern?
east vs eastern
An adjective meaning 'of the east'; 'east' is a noun, adjective, or adverb. Use 'east' for direction, 'eastern' for style or region.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'east' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'East' as an adverb means 'toward the east', so 'walked east' is correct. Option 1 is wrong because the sun sets in the west; option 2 is wrong because an east wind comes from the east; option 3 is wrong because 'in east of' is not standard (use 'in the east of' or 'east of').
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “east”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.