Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Located in, facing, or coming from the south: Describes a geographical position or direction relative to the south.
   • Characteristic of or pertaining to the south of a specific region or country: Often used to describe cultural, climatic, or social attributes associated with southern areas, particularly the southern United States.

Usage Examples

• Geographical Location/Direction:
  • We enjoyed the warm southern sun on the patio.
  • The ship followed a southern route across the ocean.
• Characteristic of a Southern Region:
  • She has a charming southern accent.
  • Southern cuisine often features dishes like grits and barbecue.

Advanced Usage

• "southern exposure": A position or side of a building that faces south, typically receiving more sunlight.
  • The garden has a southern exposure, which is ideal for growing tomatoes.
• "southern hemisphere": The half of the Earth that is south of the equator.
  • Seasons in the southern hemisphere are opposite to those in the north.

Variants and Related Words

• Southerly (adj/adv): Often used interchangeably with 'southern' to describe direction (e.g., a ). It can also function as an adverb (e.g., ).
• Southerner (n): A person who is from or lives in the south of a country, especially the southern United States.
• Southernmost (adj): Farthest toward the south.
  • Key West is the southernmost point in the continental United States.

Synonyms

• South: (as an adjective, e.g., the side)
• Austral (formal/technical): Pertaining to the south (e.g., regions).

Antonyms

• Northern: Located in or coming from the north.
• Boreal (formal/technical): Pertaining to the north.

Related Phrases and Collocations

• Southern comfort: A sense of ease and hospitality associated with the southern U.S.; also a brand name for a liqueur.
  • They were welcomed with true southern comfort.
• Southern drawl: A slow, relaxed manner of speech characteristic of some southern U.S. accents.
  • He spoke with a slow southern drawl.
• Deep South: Refers to the cultural and geographic subregion of the southern United States, typically including states like Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi.

Adjective

1. from the south; used especially of wind
   • a hot southerly wind
   • southern breezes
   • the winds are southerly
2. situated in or coming from regions of the south
   • the southern hemisphere
   • southern constellations
3. situated in or oriented toward the south
   • a southern exposure
   • took a southerly course
4. in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
   • southern hospitality
   • southern cooking
   • southern plantations