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

High school students who sat through virtual classes during the pandemic may have been inclined to flock south for a more authentic college experience. —Thomas Oide, Axios, 9 Apr. 2025

Even beyond wealth, people can very much relate to the fear of losing their jobs, or the economy going south. —H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025

Adjective

At Midway Airport farther south conditions are the same at 38 degrees. —Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025

Just last week, Calabar said a passenger paid $60 for a ride from south Sacramento to the airport, while Lyft paid him $14 for the ride. —Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Noun

At Sewell’s Point, 150 miles to the south, the sea rises even faster and could rise more than a foot by 2050, according to Navy projections. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025

Put out half going east and west and the other half going north and south. —Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for south

• drouth
• mouth
• routh

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