south by east: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical / Nautical
Quick answer
What does “south by east” mean?
A compass point located one point (11.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A compass point located one point (11.25 degrees) east of due south.
A precise navigational direction, often used in maritime, aviation, and land surveying contexts to indicate a heading slightly to the east of true south.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both follow the same traditional nautical/meteorological system.
Connotations
Strongly associated with traditional navigation, sailing, and meteorology. Can sound archaic or highly specialized in everyday speech.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse in both varieties. Used almost exclusively in technical navigation contexts, historical texts, or poetic/descriptive writing about sailing.
Grammar
How to Use “south by east” in a Sentence
The ship sailed [south by east].Set a course for [south by east].The wind is blowing from [south by east].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “south by east” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The captain ordered us to steer south by east.
- We shall sail south by east once we clear the headland.
American English
- The pilot set the autopilot to fly south by east.
- We need to head south by east to intercept the course.
adverb
British English
- The vessel proceeded south by east.
- The storm is moving south by east.
American English
- Point the antenna south by east.
- Travel south by east for five miles.
adjective
British English
- We took a south-by-east heading.
- The south-by-east wind brought a slight chill.
American English
- Maintain a south-by-east course.
- A south-by-east bearing will take us there.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, geographical, or meteorological studies discussing wind patterns or navigation history.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used by sailors, pilots, or in role-playing games.
Technical
Primary context. Used in navigation (nautical charts, flight plans), surveying, and meteorology for precise wind direction.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “south by east”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “south by east”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “south by east”
- Using it as a descriptive phrase (e.g., 'We traveled south by the east coast') instead of a fixed navigational term.
- Confusing the order: 'east by south' is a completely different point (78.75°).
- Pronouncing it as a run-on phrase without the slight pauses between words.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Southeast is exactly halfway between south and east (135°). South by east is only 11.25° east of due south (168.75°), much closer to south.
You would likely only use it in specific contexts like sailing, flying, land navigation using a compass, reading historical logs, or in certain board/wargames. It is not used in everyday directions.
Moving clockwise, the next point is 'south-southeast' (SSE), which is 22.5° east of south.
The 32-point system (a 'compass rose') comes from traditional maritime navigation. It divides the circle into 32 directions, each 11.25° apart, allowing for more precise verbal descriptions than the 4 or 8 cardinal points.
A compass point located one point (11.
South by east is usually technical / nautical in register.
South by east: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsaʊθ baɪ ˈiːst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsaʊθ baɪ ˈist/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a compass. South is at the bottom. 'By east' means 'a little bit towards the east.' So, south by east is just a small step clockwise from due south.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIRECTION IS A PRECISE POINT ON A CIRCLE.
Practice
Quiz
How many degrees is 'south by east' from due north?