south
south — noun
1. the compass point opposite north on a map, or the area of a geographical locatio
the compass point opposite north on a map, or the area of a geographical location that lies on that side.
Obi checked his compass and began walking toward the south.
noun as object of preposition toward
The south of France is popular for its sunny beaches and lavender fields.
A cold wind blew from the south, carrying the smell of rain.
from the south (origin)
The river marks the border between the north and the south of the country.
Allison's new apartment is on the south side of the park.
on the south side of
- south of
- to the south
- from the south
- the south of
- southern part
more specific — refers to a section rather than the general direction
- south side
focuses on one side of a specific area or object
- southward
adverb/noun with emphasis on movement toward the south
- north
the opposite compass direction
Usage Note
Frequently used with definite article 'the' when referring to a specific southern region ('the south of France', 'the south of the city'). Without 'the', functions as a bare direction ('head south', 'face south').
Common Mistakes
2. the southeastern part of the United States, especially the states that were part
the southeastern part of the United States, especially the states that were part of the Confederacy during the Civil War, known for their distinct culture, food, and history.
Lakshmi spent her summer vacation traveling through the American South.
the American South (set phrase)
The South is well known for its barbecue, blues music, and warm hospitality.
the South + cultural nouns
Many historical battles of the Civil War were fought in the South.
Jack moved from New York to the South for a slower pace of life.
- the American South
- the Deep South
- in the South
- the Old South
- the North
the northeastern US, especially the Union states during the Civil War
Usage Note
Always capitalised as 'the South' in this sense. Distinguished from sense 1 by the capital letter and the cultural/political context.
Common Mistakes
3. the nations with lower average incomes — mostly found below the equator — that a
the nations with lower average incomes — mostly found below the equator — that are often contrasted economically with wealthier 'Northern' countries.
The conference examined how debt affects public health in the South.
formal register: the South = developing nations
Trade rules between the global North and the South remain a heated topic.
Several non-profit organisations focus on clean water projects in the South.
Scholars argue that technology gaps between the North and the South are growing wider.
paired with North in economic discussion
- the Global South
- the North and the South
- countries of the South
- the Global South
more modern, complete term for this concept
- developing world
broader term not strictly geographic; sometimes preferred for political neutrality
- the North
wealthier, industrialised countries, mostly in the northern hemisphere
- the Global North
the counterpart term to Global South
Usage Note
Frequently capitalised as 'the South' or used in the set phrase 'the Global South'. Typically paired with 'the (Global) North' for contrast. Avoid in casual conversation — more common in academic, political, and development contexts.
south — adjective
1. located in, facing toward, or belonging to the south side of something.
located in, facing toward, or belonging to the south side of something.
Ryan entered the building through the south entrance.
south + entrance (building part)
Bilal planted rosebushes along the south wall of the garden.
The south side of the house gets the most sunlight during winter.
south side of + noun
Apinya's office is on the south end of the third-floor hallway.
A small south window in the kitchen lets in the afternoon breeze.
- south side
- south wall
- south entrance
- south end
- north
the opposite location adjective
Grammar Patterns
south + noun
Usage Note
Used only attributively (before a noun). Does NOT change form for comparison — 'more south' is rare and non-standard; use 'more southern' instead.
Common Mistakes
2. blowing from the south direction, used primarily to describe the wind.
blowing from the south direction, used primarily to describe the wind.
A warm south wind blew across the wheat fields all afternoon.
south wind (wind FROM the south)
The sailors welcomed the gentle south breeze that pushed them toward the harbour.
Jisoo closed all the windows when a strong south wind picked up.
The weather report warned of a south gale reaching the coast by midnight.
- south wind
- south breeze
- south gale
- southerly
the more common adjective for wind direction; 'southerly wind' and 'south wind' mean the same thing
- north wind
wind coming from the north
Grammar Patterns
south + wind
Usage Note
Almost always modifies a wind-type noun ('wind', 'breeze', 'gale'). A south wind blows FROM the south, not toward it — this is the opposite of a 'south wind' as a sailing term where 'sailing south' means going southward.
Common Mistakes
south — adverb
1. moving or pointing toward the south side of the compass.
moving or pointing toward the south side of the compass.
Every winter the geese fly south to find warmer weather.
fly south (movement pattern)
Ryan drove south along the coastal highway for two hours.
The hiking trail turns south just past the old wooden bridge.
Noa looked south toward the mountains and spotted a storm coming.
looked south (direction of gaze)
- head south
- go south
- drive south
- fly south
- turn south
- southward
slightly more formal, emphasises ongoing movement; interchangeable in most contexts
- north
toward the opposite direction
Grammar Patterns
verb + south
south + prepositional phrase
Usage Note
The most common adverb sense. Takes no preposition before it ('head south', not 'head to south'). Compare with 'to the south' which is a prepositional phrase used as an adverbial.
Common Mistakes
2. situated in or moving toward the southern section of a nation or geographical ar
situated in or moving toward the southern section of a nation or geographical area, typically compared with a point farther north.
Liam lives about thirty miles south of London in a small village.
south of [place] = location
The best tea plantations are located south of the capital city.
Élise moved south to enjoy a warmer climate after retirement.
The desert begins south of the mountain range and stretches for miles.
south of [geographic feature]
- south of
- south of the border
- south of the river
- to the south of
equivalent but slightly more formal; 'south of' is more compact and common in everyday speech
- north of
in or to the northern part, compared to something
Grammar Patterns
live south of
located south of
Usage Note
Often followed by 'of' plus a reference point: 'south of the river', 'south of the border'. When no reference point is given ('he lives south'), sense 1 applies instead.
Common Mistakes
3. used by Scottish speakers to mean England, which lies south of Scotland on the i
used by Scottish speakers to mean England, which lies south of Scotland on the island of Great Britain.
Mateo's family in Edinburgh often travels south for the Christmas holidays.
travels south = goes to England (Scottish perspective)
Many Scottish students go south to study at universities in England.
The overnight train runs from Glasgow south to London every evening.
The Scottish rugby team travels south every year for a match against England.
- go south
- travel south
- come south
Grammar Patterns
go south
travel south
Usage Note
Sense is specific to British geography and the Scotland–England relationship. Outside the UK, this usage will not be understood. The direction is literal (England is south of Scotland) but the word carries cultural weight.
4. used by US speakers to refer to Mexico, Central America, or other nations locate
used by US speakers to refer to Mexico, Central America, or other nations located below the US border.
Allison traveled south to visit the ancient Mayan temples in Mexico.
traveled south = to Mexico (US perspective)
Many Americans retire south of the border to enjoy a lower cost of living.
The company opened a new factory south of the border in Guatemala.
south of the border (set phrase)
Jack drove south across the border to visit his relatives in Guadalajara.
- south of the border
- go south
- retire south
Grammar Patterns
go south
travel south
south of the border
Usage Note
Primarily used in US English. The set phrase 'south of the border' refers idiomatically to Mexico or Latin America. The capitalisation of 'Border' appears occasionally in written form but is not standard.
Word family
- southernadjectiveA2
- southerlyadjectiveB1
- southwardadverbB1
- southeasternadjectiveB1
- southwesternadjectiveB1
- southernernounB2
- southernmostadjectiveB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
'South' (noun/1) names the compass direction or general region, while 'southern part' zooms in on a defined section of a larger area ('the southern part of the city'). 'South side' is even more specific, referring to one side of a bounded object or street ('the south side of the building'). 'Southward' works as both a noun and adverb, carrying a stronger sense of movement toward the south ('a southward direction'). Use 'south' for general direction or an entire region ('the south of France'), 'southern part' when dividing something into zones ('the southern part of the island'), and 'southward' when motion is the focus ('the river flows southward').
Common collocations
Nouns
- south coast
- south pole
- south wind
- south entrance
- south side
- South America
- Southeast Asia
Adverbs
- directly south
- due south
- far south
- farther south
- straight south
Phrases
- south of the border
- the south of France
- down south
- head south
Prepositions
- to the south (of)
- from the south
- in the south
- on the south (of)
Etymology
'South' comes from Old English 'sūþ', which traces back to the Proto-Germanic word '*sunþrą'. This is related to the ancient word for 'sun' — because the south is the direction of the sun at its highest point in the sky in the northern hemisphere. The same root appears in German 'Süden' and Dutch 'zuiden'.