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

Go to Luckenbach About 15 minutes southeast of Fredericksburg is the tiny town of Luckenbach, where locals and tourists both head for pickin’ parties and live music every day. —Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 15 Nov. 2025

The fire is burning about 15 miles southeast of Mammoth Mountain, a popular ski resort. —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 14 Nov. 2025

Noun

The Pilgrims’ colony southeast of Boston was gradually absorbed into Massachusetts Bay Colony, founded in 1630 by a larger group of Puritans who did not split from England’s official church. —Thomas Tweed, The Conversation, 13 Nov. 2025

The Texas Tribune reported the state prison system settled after a $7M legal fight to have one housing area in the Wallace Pack prison southeast of College Station no hotter than 88 degrees heat index. —Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 13 Nov. 2025

Adjective

Staff began broadcasting early the next morning from the blocky old New York Times building a few blocks southeast. —Max Tani, semafor.com, 17 Nov. 2025

Due to its southeast trajectory, the rocket launch may be visible across the night sky in Arizona. —Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 14 Nov. 2025

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