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

Here in the South, we’re blessed with a multitude of fast food restaurants that originated in our region and therefore know exactly how to win over a Southerner’s heart. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026

Conversely, New England's fare of baked beans, fish cakes and corned beef hash could be unappealing to most Southerners. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 1 Mar. 2026

Her work has appeared in Garden & Gun, Architectural Digest, Mental Floss, and The Bitter Southerner, often focusing on the people, food, and places of Southern United States. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Feb. 2026

But the proud Southerner’s love of retail springs from watching his family in small-town Brandon, Miss., run local stores selling furniture, hardware, and clothing. —Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 22 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

Southerner

noun

South·​ern·​er ˈsət͟h-ə(r)-nər 

: a person born or living in the South (as of the U.S.)