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

The area is expected to sit between heat domes in the Southwest United States and western Atlantic Ocean, which will result in a southerly air flow. —Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 11 July 2024

Beryl – a major hurricane with sustained winds of 150 mph and higher gusts – tore across the southerly end of the Windward Islands on Monday, leaving potentially catastrophic damage in its wake on the Grenadine Islands and Grenada. —Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 1 July 2024

Noun

If southerly breezes kick up a bit during the early morning hours, warmest spots may hover in the upper 40s. —A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 14 Oct. 2022

A couple of afternoon southerly breezes could gust around 15 mph. —A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022

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

Kids Definition

southerly

adverb or adjective

south·​er·​ly

ˈsət͟h-ər-lē

1

: toward the south

2

: coming from the south