Southerner
noun
South·ern·er
ˈsə-t͟hər-nər 
ˈsə-t͟hə-nər
: a native or inhabitant of the South
especially
: a native or resident of the southern part of the U.S.
Examples of Southerner in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While snow cream and hot cocoa help Southerners survive a snow day, many are clamoring for a spring thaw.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 Jan. 2026
Elliott, a native Southerner, said sweet tea is a must for her menu, too.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Widely viewed as the beginning of the dismantling of the Jim Crow system, Brown galvanized civil rights leaders and enraged segregationist Southerners.
—Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Southerner
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 Jan. 2026
Elliott, a native Southerner, said sweet tea is a must for her menu, too.
—Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Widely viewed as the beginning of the dismantling of the Jim Crow system, Brown galvanized civil rights leaders and enraged segregationist Southerners.
—Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for Southerner
Cite this Entry
“Southerner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Southerner. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Southerner
noun
South·ern·er
ˈsət͟h-ə(r)-nər
: a person born or living in the South (as of the U.S.)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
