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

Rideshare drivers will have to drive down South West Street to pick up riders and then can either continue south, going under I-70, or travel westbound on Kentucky Avenue to get out of the zone. —Alysa Guffey, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Nov. 2024

His first stop on the final day of his campaign is in Raleigh, North Carolina, at 10 a.m. After, the former president will head to Reading, Pennsylvania, for a rally, then head south in the state for a rally in Pittsburgh at 6 p.m. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Rain could measure around a tenth of an inch in south and central Phoenix, and higher terrain could see up to half an inch of rain. —Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024

The board is divided into three districts, and Rogers’ 3rd District encompasses much of Chicago’s West and South sides and most of the south suburbs, where homeowners have been hammered with unaffordable tax increases, made worse by action at the Board of Review. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2024

Noun

So, as wintery conditions have widened in the north, summer warmth has been spreading in the south. —Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024

Metro Denver and the southern foothills will see 7 to 14 inches of snow starting Friday morning and continuing into Saturday, with the heaviest snowfall along Interstate 70 and to the south. —Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 7 Nov. 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