southeast

1 of 3

adverb

south·​east sau̇th-ˈēst 

 nautical  sau̇-ˈēst

: to, toward, or in the southeast

southeast

2 of 3

noun

1

a

: the general direction between south and east

b

: the point midway between the south and east compass points

2

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

southeast

3 of 3

adjective

1

: coming from the southeast

a southeast wind

2

: situated toward or at the southeast

the southeast corner

Examples of southeast in a Sentence

Adverb

It's a few miles southeast of here.

Noun

A mountain range is in the southeast of the country.

Rain is moving into the Southeast.

He grew up in the Southeast.

Adjective

My office is in the southeast corner of the building.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

The three separate fires -- the Black Cove Fire, Deep Woods Fire and the Fish Hook Fire -- were all burning about 30 miles southeast of Ashville, according to the North Carolina Forest Service. —Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2025

Looking southeast at the hydrothermal feature that formed in August 2024 just north of Nymph Lake. —Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025

Noun

Prior to joining Fox News, Alexandra covered breaking news, crime, religion, and the military in the southeast. —Alexandra Koch, Fox News, 19 Mar. 2025

Lucky was found in East Prairie, which is about a 165-mile drive southeast from St. Louis. —Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 18 Mar. 2025

Adjective

Robinson was arrested Thursday in Livingston, in southeast Texas, by Fort Worth police and the Texas Rangers. —Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2025

In the predominantly Kurdish cities of Diyarbakir and Van in southeast Turkey, people gathered in public spaces, dancing in anticipation of the announcement. —Robert Badendieck and Suzan Fraser The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 28 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

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

Phrases Containing southeast

• east-southeast
• southeast by east
• southeast by south
• south-southeast

Rhymes for southeast

• deceased
• decreased
• increased
• northeast
• policed
• released
• beast
• ceased
• creased
• east
• feast
• fleeced

Kids Definition

southeast

1 of 3 adverb

south·​east sau̇-ˈthēst 

 nautical  sau̇-ˈēst

: to or toward the southeast

southeast

2 of 3 noun

1

: the direction between south and east

2

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

southeast

3 of 3 adjective

1

: situated toward or at the southeast

the southeast corner

2

: coming from the southeast

a southeast wind