southward: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, literary, geographical
Quick answer
What does “southward” mean?
In a direction toward the south.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In a direction toward the south.
Moving, facing, or situated toward the south; the southern part or direction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. 'Southwards' is a common variant in British English, while 'southward' is more common in American English for both adverb and adjective.
Connotations
Neutral geographical term. Can carry a literary or slightly formal tone.
Frequency
More frequent in written contexts (geography, travel, literature) than in casual speech in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “southward” in a Sentence
[Subject] + move/travel/head + southwarda/an + [adjective] + southward + [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “southward” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The fleet began to southward at dawn.
- (Note: 'southward' as a verb is rare and poetic; 'head southward' is standard.)
American English
- (Rare as a verb in modern usage.)
adverb
British English
- We sailed southwards for three days.
- The weather front is moving southward.
American English
- We drove southward along the coast.
- The population shifted southward after the drought.
adjective
British English
- They followed the southward course of the river.
- A steady southward drift was observed.
American English
- The highway has a southward bend just past the city.
- The southward migration of birds occurs each autumn.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in reports about market expansion or demographic shifts (e.g., 'The company's growth is moving southward.').
Academic
Common in geography, history, and environmental science texts to describe migration, wind patterns, or territorial changes.
Everyday
Used in travel descriptions or giving directions, though 'south' is more common.
Technical
Used in navigation, meteorology, and geology to indicate precise direction of movement or force.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “southward”
- Using 'southwardly' (archaic/incorrect) instead of 'southward'.
- Using 'to southward' (redundant preposition) instead of just 'southward'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Southward' is the standard form in American English for both adverb and adjective. 'Southwards' is a common variant for the adverb in British English. Both mean the same.
Yes, but it's less common. As a noun, it means 'the southern direction or region' (e.g., 'to the southward of the city'). It is somewhat archaic or literary.
It is more formal and precise than simply saying 'south'. It is common in geographical, historical, and literary contexts but can be used in everyday language.
Place it after the verb without a preposition: 'expand southward', 'move southward', 'travel southward'. Do not say 'move to southward'.
In a direction toward the south.
Southward: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsaʊθwəd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsaʊθwərd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The sun turns southward (literary, referring to autumn/winter).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a compass needle being 'WORried' about pointing to the 'SOUTH' – SOUTH-WOR-D.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUTHWARD IS A JOURNEY (e.g., 'embarking on a southward journey'); SOUTHWARD IS PROGRESS/CHANGE (e.g., 'the storm's path shifted southward').
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'southward' used correctly as an adverb?