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southeasterly

American  
[south-ee-ster-lee, sou-ee-ster-lee] / ˌsaʊθˈi stər li, ˌsaʊˈi stər li /

adjective

  1. toward or from the southeast.


southeasterly British  
/ ˌsaʊˈiːstəlɪ, ˌsaʊθˈiːstəlɪ /

adjective

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

"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

noun

  1. a strong wind or storm from the southeast

"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

Etymology

Origin of southeasterly

First recorded in 1700–10; south + easterly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She said this pressure pattern has also brought persistent southeasterly winds for Scotland, meaning eastern parts of the country - especially the north east - have borne the brunt of the rain and snowfall.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

Every few years, thousands upon thousands of Eastern gray squirrels moved in a roughly southeasterly direction, usually in the fall.

From Washington Post • Apr. 8, 2023

The weather system is also likely move in a southeasterly direction and away from inhabited land, but meteorologists remain cautious.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 27, 2023

A cooling southeasterly breeze arose around noon, lowering the mercury to 67 degrees by 5 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2019

He left Manhattan Island behind, passed the site of Yonkers, and was carried by a southeasterly wind beyond the Highlands till he reached what is now West Point.

From Dutch and English on the Hudson A Chronicle of Colonial New York by Goodwin, Maud Wilder

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