southerly: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2 / Low frequency in everyday speech, medium in weather/maritime contexts.Formal to neutral. Most common in technical (meteorology, navigation, geography), journalistic, and literary contexts.
Quick answer
What does “southerly” mean?
1. Directed or moving towards the south.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
1. Directed or moving towards the south. 2. Situated in or coming from the south.
A wind that blows from the south; used in meteorology and navigation. Can also figuratively describe a general trend or movement in a southerly direction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use all forms. British English may use 'southerly' in maritime contexts slightly more due to tradition.
Connotations
Neutral in both. In weather forecasts, 'southerly' often implies milder, moister air for the UK, while in the US, it can imply warm, humid air (Gulf of Mexico) or cool air (Pacific Northwest).
Frequency
Equally low in everyday speech, equally standard in technical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “southerly” in a Sentence
[Adjective + Noun] (a southerly wind)[Adverb of direction + Verb] (traveling southerly)[Noun as subject] (The southerly brought rain.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “southerly” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- The birds are flying southerly for the winter.
- The storm track is moving steadily southerly.
American English
- We continued southerly along the coastal highway.
- The front is expected to drift southerly overnight.
adjective
British English
- A strong southerly gale is forecast for the Channel.
- They began their journey in a southerly direction.
American English
- A warm southerly flow will raise temperatures across the Midwest.
- The plane adjusted to a more southerly heading.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in logistics or shipping reports: 'The fleet took a southerly route to avoid the storm.'
Academic
Used in geography, climatology, and environmental sciences: 'The data indicate a southerly migration of the species.'
Everyday
Primarily in weather discussions: 'We're expecting a southerly wind tomorrow, so it should be warmer.'
Technical
Core term in meteorology, aviation, and maritime navigation: 'A ridge of high pressure will establish a southerly flow aloft.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “southerly”
- Using 'southernly' (incorrect spelling).
- Confusing 'southerly' (direction/origin) with 'southern' (location/character).
- Using it as a simple synonym for 'south' in all contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'South' is a cardinal point. 'Southerly' describes movement toward the south, position facing the south, or, most specifically, a wind originating from the south.
Rarely as a simple adjective. It's better to use 'southern' (e.g., southern France). 'Southerly' in 'the most southerly point' describes relative position/direction, not inherent character.
Like the 'ther' in 'brother' or 'other' (/ðər/), not like 'thunder'. It's 'SUH-ther-ly'.
A 'northerly' wind (a wind blowing from the north).
1. Directed or moving towards the south.
Southerly is usually formal to neutral. most common in technical (meteorology, navigation, geography), journalistic, and literary contexts. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The most southerly point of X”
- “Set a southerly course”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'South' + '-erly' (like in 'northerly'). It's the directional cousin of 'south'. A southerly wind comes FROM the south.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIRECTION AS ORIENTATION (south is down on a map, often associated with warmth in the Northern Hemisphere). WIND AS AN AGENT/CARRIER (a southerly brings change).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'southerly' used as a noun?