south

1 of 3

adverb

ˈsau̇th 

1

: to, toward, or in the south

a house facing south

2

: into a state of decline or ruin

causes the sluggish economy to go south

—G. F. Will

see also south of

south

2 of 3

adjective

1

: situated toward or at the south

the south entrance

2

: coming from the south

a south wind

south

3 of 3

noun

1

a

: the direction of the south terrestrial pole : the direction to the right of one facing east

b

: the compass point directly opposite to north

2

capitalized : regions or countries lying to the south of a specified or implied point of orientation

especially : the southeastern part of the U.S.

3

: the right side of a church looking toward the altar from the nave

4

often capitalized

a

: the one of four positions at 90-degree intervals that lies to the south or at the bottom of a diagram

b

: a person (such as a bridge player) occupying this position in the course of a specified activity

specifically : the declarer in bridge

5

often capitalized : the developing nations of the world : third world sense 1 compare north sense 2b

Examples of south in a Sentence

Adverb

Turn south onto Elm Street.

It's a mile south of here.

The birds fly south in the winter.

The company's profits have gone south in recent months.

The TV show's ratings have been heading south.

Noun

The wind blew from the south.

The birds migrate from the South.

Parts of the South were hit hard by the storm.

I grew up in the South.

The American Civil War was between the North and the South.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

For instance, the winter of 2013–14 saw snowy owls in record-breaking numbers, with sightings reported as far south as Bermuda—possibly the largest such event in the Northeast and Great Lakes in over a century. —Tom Howarth, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

Some areas as far south as Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia awoke to snow Monday. —John Bacon, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Walgreens on South Layton Boulevard and West National Avenue on the south side was supposed to close by mid-November but abruptly closed early on Oct. 18, while it was announced Monday that the Walgreens at North 91st Street and West Appleton Avenue also will close. —Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 21 Nov. 2024

But strolling on the south side of the Texas Union on Wednesday, the blue political signs touting the Democratic presidential ticket of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz that lined the trees a day earlier had been replaced with white signs celebrating President-elect Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. —Lily Kepner, Austin American-Statesman, 21 Nov. 2024

Noun

But any deviation to the south could lead to bigger totals here in the metro, lowering the likelihood of a total melt-off. —Torey Van Oot, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024

London approves plan for joint-tallest tower in Western Europe The City of London has approved plans for a 73-floor skyscraper that will match in height Western Europe’s tallest tower a mile to the south. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English, from Old English sūth; akin to Old High German sund- south and probably to Old English sunne sun

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing south

• down south
• east by south
• south by east
• south by west
• southeast by south
• south of
• south pole
• south-seeking pole
• south-southeast
• south-southwest
• southwest by south
• west by south

Kids Definition

south

1 of 3 adverb

ˈsau̇th 

: to or toward the south

south

2 of 3 adjective

1

: situated toward or at the south

the south entrance

2

: coming from the south

a south wind

south

3 of 3 noun

1

a

: the direction to the right of one facing east

b

: the compass point opposite to north

2

capitalized : regions or countries south of a point that is mentioned or understood

especially : the southeastern part of the U.S.

Biographical Definition

South

biographical name

ˈsau̇th 

Robert 1634–1716 English clergyman