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

• southerlies
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• southerliness
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• southerlies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of southerly

1545–55; south + -erly ( see easterly)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

southerly southerlies

Some forecasts are already suggesting that temporary builds of high pressure and southerly winds across the parts of the country next week could lift some areas back above heatwave thresholds.

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

Coastal areas have also seen dangerous rip currents and elevated surf in recent weeks amid multiple southerly swells, most recently due to Tropical Storm Genevieve.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026

"The wildfire danger level will continue to increase, reaching extreme levels and making firefighting efforts more difficult due to high temperatures, locally gusty southerly winds and widespread low humidity," it said in a statement.

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026

As of last week, the Navy had secretly been helping ships navigate a southerly route farther from Iran’s coast, apparently for free.

From Slate ● Jul. 13, 2026

“We don’t have a minute! Fires—we need vials of Greek fire. Jason, call the winds. Warm, southerly winds.”

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

The weather is entirely different than it used to be, just look at the lack of southerlies bringing rain this season, he says.

From The Guardian ● Jan. 3, 2020

These waters in particular, provide some level of lee to the prevailing southerlies.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 2, 2011