southerly

American  

[suhth-er-lee] / ˈsʌð ər li /

adjective

1. toward the south.

   a southerly course.

2. (especially of a wind) coming from the south.

   a gentle southerly breeze.

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noun

plural

southerlies

1. a wind that blows from the south.

southerly British  

/ ˈsʌðəlɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or situated in the south

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adverb

1. towards or in the direction of the south

2. from the south

   a southerly wind

noun

1. a wind from the south

Other Word Forms

• southerliness noun

Etymology

Origin of southerly

1545–55; south + -erly ( easterly )

Example Sentences

The dust, made up of fine sand and mineral particles lifted from the deserts of North Africa, will have travelled thousands of miles on warm southerly air currents.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

In Canada's Western Hudson Bay, where the most southerly and best studied bears live, a decline in the population has been directly linked to warming temperatures.

From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026

She added: "This southerly shift has already led to increases in continental droughts and wildfires across the southern landmasses."

From Science Daily • Nov. 19, 2025

Meanwhile, southerly winds pushed the system right up against — and perpendicular to — the Santa Ynez Mountains.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 17, 2025

He trundled out the door and around the back of the cottage, heading for the southerly woods.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman