southerly

1 of 2

adjective or adverb

south·​er·​ly ˈsə-t͟hər-lē 

1

: situated toward or belonging to the south

the southerly shore of the lake

2

: coming from the south

a southerly wind

southerly

2 of 2

noun

plural southerlies

: a wind from the south

Examples of southerly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective or adverb

In the more southerly route, sea voyagers traveled directly to the Australian mainland via Timor or nearby islands. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Jan. 2026

Temperatures on Friday will respond to the southerly winds and trend back to above-normal levels, beginning the morning in the 40s. —Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026

Noun

This was a southerly trajectory launch. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2026

The broad area of high pressure will shift east through the day as southerly winds begin flow in on the western side of the high. —Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective or adverb

south entry 3 + -erly (as in easterly)

First Known Use

Adjective Or Adverb

1550, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1837, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for southerly

• brotherly
• motherly

Kids Definition

southerly

adverb or adjective

south·​er·​ly

ˈsət͟h-ər-lē

1

: toward the south

2

: coming from the south