southeast

American  

[south-eest, sou-eest] / ˌsaʊθˈist, ˌsaʊˈist /

noun

1. the point or direction midway between south and east. SE

2. a region in this direction.

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

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adjective

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

2. coming from the southeast, as a wind.

adverb

1. in the direction midway between south and east.

southeast ¹ British  

/ ˌsaʊθˈiːst, ˌsaʊˈiːst /

noun

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

2. any area lying in or towards this direction

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adjective

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

2. situated in, proceeding towards, or facing the southeast

3. (esp of the wind) from the southeast

adverb

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

Southeast ² British  

/ ˌsaʊθˈiːst /

noun

1. the southeastern part of Britain, esp the London area

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Other Word Forms

• southeastern adjective
• southeasternmost adjective

Etymology

Origin of southeast

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

Example Sentences

We spent a year traveling around Australia, New Zealand, scores of Pacific islands and most of southeast Asia.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

Even as O’ahu begins the long process of recovery, the broader emergency is shifting to the southeast.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2026

Monday on East Mission Road in Fallbrook, about 100 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

Tropical regions like southeast Asia, Australia and central Africa typically experience drier conditions.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

I was fencing a line at the southeast edge of my claim, right where it butted up against Karl and Perilee’s.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson