southeast

1 of 3

adverb

south·​east sau̇th-ˈēst 

nautical sau̇-ˈēst

: to, toward, or in the southeast

southeast

2 of 3

noun

1

a

: the general direction between south and east

b

: the point midway between the south and east compass points

2

Southeast : regions or countries lying to the southeast of a specified or implied point of orientation

southeast

3 of 3

adjective

1

: coming from the southeast

a southeast wind

2

: situated toward or at the southeast

the southeast corner

Examples of southeast in a Sentence

Adverb

It's a few miles southeast of here.

Noun

A mountain range is in the southeast of the country.

Rain is moving into the Southeast.

He grew up in the Southeast.

Adjective

My office is in the southeast corner of the building.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Bend, the biggest city in central Oregon, is about 125 miles southeast of Portland. — Haven Daley, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

The shooting at the Oregon elementary school took place Thursday at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, which is about 160 miles or so southeast of Portland. — Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Noun

However, rainfall coverage will decrease toward the east and southeast, meaning many metroplex neighborhoods could receive little or no measurable rain. — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

That is approximately a 35-minute drive southeast of downtown Kansas City. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Somewhat heavily expository dialogue informs us that Yue, formerly a fashion director in Beijing, has recently returned with Moon to the family apartment in the city of Hangzhou in southeast China. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

The most likely areas for DAMAGING coastal flooding on Sunday morning will be vulnerable southeast facing beaches, such as Avalon and Pebbly Beach. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing southeast

• east-southeast
• southeast by east
• southeast by south
• south-southeast

Rhymes for southeast

• deceased
• decreased
• increased
• northeast
• policed
• released
• beast
• ceased
• creased
• east
• feast
• fleeced

Kids Definition

southeast

1 of 3 adverb

south·​east sau̇-ˈthēst 

nautical sau̇-ˈēst

: to or toward the southeast

southeast

2 of 3 noun

1

: the direction between south and east

2

capitalized : regions or countries southeast of a point that is mentioned or understood

southeast

3 of 3 adjective

1

: situated toward or at the southeast

the southeast corner

2

: coming from the southeast

a southeast wind