south

noun · adjective · South proper noun · adverb · verb

SOWTH/saʊθ/

Pluralsouths (some meanings)

19 meanings of south

Practice

1
compass directionnoununcountable
The direction on your right when you face east. It is the opposite of north.
The river flows from north to south through the valley.
Which way is south from here?
UsageSay the south: from the south. Use south of to place things: Spain is south of France.
Oppositenorth
2
adjective
In or of the south part of a place.
We ate lunch on the south side of the park.
The kitchen's south windows let in lots of light.
UsageSay the south wall, but southern Italy for a big area.
Similarsouthern
Oppositenorth, northern
3
region (name)proper noun · Southcountable or uncountable
The southern part of a country or region, considered as a distinct area.
The new train line will link the North and the South of the country.
Many young people leave the South to look for work in the cities.
UsageWrite the South, with a capital S.
OppositeNorth
Note
4
compass directionadverb
Toward the south.
Many birds fly south when winter comes.
We drove south to visit Grandma.
UsageSay go south or fly south, with no to.
Similarsouthward
Oppositenorth, northward
5
nounusually singular
The part of a country that lies to the south, or the people living there.
We spent our vacation in the south of France.
The whole south voted against the plan.
UsageSay the south of a country: the south of France.
Oppositenorth
Note
6
proper noun · SouthUScountable or uncountable
The states in the southeast of the US, many of which fought against the North in the Civil War.
She moved from Ohio to the South for a job in Atlanta.
Summers in the South are long and hot.
UsageWrite the South, with a capital S.
OppositeNorth
Note
7
poorer nationsproper noun · Southcountable or uncountable
A short name for the Global South, used when people talk about world politics.
Leaders from the South asked rich countries for more help.
Many countries in the South want a bigger voice at the United Nations.
UsageWrite the South, often next to the North.
OppositeNorth
Note

Less common meanings

8
declineadverb
Toward something worse, mostly in the phrase go south, meaning to go badly.
The party went south when the music stopped working.
If the weather goes south, we'll move the picnic inside.
UsageYou can also say head south: The talks are heading south.
Similarwrong, downhill
Oppositenorth
Note
9
adjective
Going toward the south, like a road lane that carries cars heading south.
The pilot set a south heading toward the islands.
The ship kept a south course all night.
Similarsouthbound, southward, southerly
Oppositenorth, northbound, northward, northerly
10
from (before wind)adjective
Used about wind: coming from the south.
A warm south wind blew all afternoon.
The south wind made big waves on the lake.
UsageA south wind comes from the south and blows toward the north.
Similarsoutherly
Oppositenorth, northerly
Note
11
from (after wind)adverb
Used about wind, meaning it blows from the south.
The wind is south today, and the air feels warm.
The forecast says winds south at 10 miles per hour.
Oppositenorth
Note
12
verbintransitive
To turn or travel toward the south.
Oppositenorth
13
downwardadverb
Down, toward a lower place.
Her glasses kept slipping south, and she kept pushing them back up.
The baby's sock slowly slid south until it fell off.
Similardown, downward
Oppositeup, upward, north
14
magnet polenouncountable
One of the two ends of a magnet, the end opposite the north end.
Put the south of one magnet next to the north of another, and they stick together.
Two magnets snap together when you put north against south.
UsageOften called the south pole of the magnet.
Oppositenorth
Note
15
noun
In a church, the direction to your right when you face the altar.
It is to be situated in the chancel on the right (i.e., liturgical south) side of the church.
2002, John L. Hooker, In the Shadows of Holy Week: The Office of Tenebrae
16
adjective
On the right side of a church when you face the altar.
17
verb
Of the moon, the sun, or a star, to cross the line in the sky that runs from north to south.
18
proper nounUK
A British name for Antarctica, used mostly by people who work there.
19
proper nouncolloquial
Short for South College: a college that is part of Durham University in England.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of south apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–2, 4–5, 8–14

From Old English sūþ. It goes back to a very old word meaning "sun".

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

South derives from Old English sūþ. en.wiktionary.org
South ultimately derives from an ancient word meaning sun. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 3, 6–7

From the word south, the direction.