south america: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Formal to neutral; used in geographical, political, historical, and travel contexts.
Quick answer
What does “south america” mean?
A continent in the Western Hemisphere, located primarily in the Southern Hemisphere, comprising twelve sovereign countries and several territories.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A continent in the Western Hemisphere, located primarily in the Southern Hemisphere, comprising twelve sovereign countries and several territories.
Often used to refer to the cultural, political, or economic sphere of the continent; sometimes used metonymically for its people, traditions, or collective identity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. British English may show slightly more historical/political usage related to colonial history.
Connotations
Generally neutral geographical term. Can carry connotations related to biodiversity (Amazon), culture (tango, football), or economic development.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “south america” in a Sentence
[verb] + in/through/across/to + South AmericaSouth America + [verb][adjective] + South AmericaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “south america” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The South American climate varies enormously.
- We studied South American liberation movements.
American English
- The South American economy is growing.
- She's an expert in South American flora.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to markets, trade agreements, or economic conditions within the continent.
Academic
Used in geography, history, political science, and environmental studies contexts.
Everyday
Used in travel plans, discussions about culture, food, or sports.
Technical
In geology, refers to the South American tectonic plate; in climatology, to regional weather patterns.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “south america”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “south america”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “south america”
- Writing it in lowercase ('south america').
- Confusing it with 'Central America'.
- Using 'South American' as a noun for a person (correct: 'South American' is an adjective; the noun is 'South American person' or specify nationality).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is two words, and both are capitalized as it is a proper name.
'South America' is a geographical continent. 'Latin America' is a cultural/linguistic region that includes countries in South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean where Romance languages (Spanish, Portuguese, French) are primarily spoken.
There are 12 sovereign countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Use 'in' to describe location within the continent (e.g., 'He lives in South America'). Use 'to' for movement towards it (e.g., 'She moved to South America').
A continent in the Western Hemisphere, located primarily in the Southern Hemisphere, comprising twelve sovereign countries and several territories.
South america is usually formal to neutral; used in geographical, political, historical, and travel contexts. in register.
South america: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsaʊθ əˈmɛr.ɪ.kə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsaʊθ əˈmɛr.ɪ.kə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “From Patagonia to the Caribbean (meaning: throughout the entirety of South America)”
- “The spine of South America (referring to the Andes mountains)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the shape like a giant triangle or a sideways cone, pointing south. 'South' tells you its hemisphere location relative to North America.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LAND OF CONTRASTS (both in geography and socio-economics). A SLEEPING GIANT (referring to its economic potential).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following countries is NOT located in South America?