southeast

[ south-eest; Nautical sou-eest ]

/ ˌsaʊθˈist; Nautical ˌsaʊˈist /

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noun

the point or direction midway between south and east. Abbreviation: SE

a region in this direction.

(initial capital letter) the southeast region of the United States.

adjective

lying toward, situated in, or directed toward the southeast.

coming from the southeast, as a wind.

adverb

in the direction midway between south and east.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of southeast

before 900; Middle English southest,Old English sūthēast.See south, east

OTHER WORDS FROM southeast

southeastern, adjectivesouth·east·ern·most

[south-ee-stern-mohst or, especially British, -muhst], /ˌsaʊθˈi stərnˌmoʊst or, especially British, -məst/, adjective

Words nearby southeast

South Dakotan, South Devon, Southdown, South Downs, South Dum Dum, southeast, Southeast Asia, Southeast Asian, Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, southeast by east, southeast by south

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use southeast in a sentence

Around town and points southeast currently have the highest ice threat, but this is evolving.
D.C.-area forecast: Raw today. Iciness threat grows Saturday into early Sunday.|A. Camden Walker|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
A small area southeast of Interstate 95 in Southern Maryland saw up to 2 to 4 inches.
Snow ends, leading to an afternoon of melting; more storm chances to come this week|Brian Jackson, Dan Stillman, Andrew Freedman|February 7, 2021|Washington Post
We exceeded actual snow amounts in locations east and southeast of Washington slightly, where only two to three inches fell over three days.
How an imperfect snowstorm forecast turned out mostly right|Jason Samenow|February 3, 2021|Washington Post
This band is gradually shifting toward the east and southeast and should exit the Beltway in the next hour.
Updates: Snow showers focus inside the Beltway|Matt Rogers, Jason Samenow|February 2, 2021|Washington Post

By early this evening we will start to see light mixed precipitation take over, with a glaze of ice possible tonight from Interstate 95 north and west, and some light rain southeast of there.
After 2 to 4 inches of snow, an icy night ahead in D.C. area. Snow showers possible Monday.|Jason Samenow, Dan Stillman, Andrew Freedman|February 1, 2021|Washington Post
Malaysian-based entrepreneur Tony Fernandes has turned AirAsia into the most successful low cost airline in southeast Asia.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501|Clive Irving|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It is very popular in Southeast Asia and has had massive growth.
The Presumed Crash of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 Is Nothing Like MH370|Lennox Samuels|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
While fighting has lessened, Ukrainian soldiers continue to die in the country's southeast.
Corruption Eats Away at Ukraine Military|Charles McPhedran|October 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The involvement of Huda-Par and the Grey Wolves in the violence rocking the southeast augurs badly.
Kobani is Falling to ISIS in Syria. Kurd Protests Explode in Turkey.|Jamie Dettmer|October 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In Kurdish towns across southeast Turkey there are reports of increasing clashes between Kurdish youngsters and police.
Impotent U.S. Airstrikes, Passive Turks and an ISIS Triumph|Jamie Dettmer|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That is not the case with the one that extends northwest and southeast, for it is flooded with sunlight most of the day.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
Two miles from Winchelsea is Rye, another of the decayed seaports of the southeast coast.
British Highways And Byways From A Motor Car|Thomas D. Murphy
By the way, there's another creek to the southeast yonder, where you see that gully in the mountain.
Gold-Seeking on the Dalton Trail|Arthur R. Thompson
An attempt was next made to dig into a small sewer that ran from the southeast corner of the prison into the main sewer.
Famous Adventures And Prison Escapes of the Civil War|Various
Work was begun in rear of the little kitchen-room previously abandoned at the southeast corner of the cellar.
Famous Adventures And Prison Escapes of the Civil War|Various

British Dictionary definitions for southeast (1 of 2)

southeast

/ (ˌsaʊθˈiːst, nautical ˌsaʊˈiːst) /

noun

the point of the compass or the direction midway between south and east, 135° clockwise from north

(often cap usually preceded by the) any area lying in or towards this direction

adjective Also: southeastern

(sometimes capital) of or denoting the southeastern part of a specified country, area, etc

situated in, proceeding towards, or facing the southeast

(esp of the wind) from the southeast

adverb

in, to, towards, or (esp of the wind) from the southeast

Symbol: SE

Derived forms of southeast

southeasternmost, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for southeast (2 of 2)

Southeast

/ (ˌsaʊθˈiːst) /

noun

the Southeast the southeastern part of Britain, esp the London area

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012