How Do You Spell SOUTH?

Pronunciation: [sˈa͡ʊθ] (IPA)

The word "south" is spelled with five letters and is pronounced /saʊθ/. The first sound is the consonant /s/, followed by the diphthong /aʊ/ which consists of the vowel sounds /a/ and /ʊ/ combined. The final sound is the unvoiced dental fricative /θ/, similar to the "th" sound in "thin". The spelling of "south" is consistent with the English language's irregular spelling rules, which often involve silent letters and non-phonetic relationships between letters and sounds.

SOUTH Meaning and Definition

  1. South is a cardinal direction, opposite to north, and is commonly defined as the direction to the right when facing east. It is a geographical term used to indicate the southernmost region of a particular area, country, or continent.

    In terms of geography, south refers to the lower part of the Earth, closer to the equator, with a lower latitude compared to the northern hemisphere. It is characterized by a warmer climate, especially in tropical and subtropical regions.

    The word south can also be used figuratively to describe a specific location or region within a larger context. For example, the southern region of a country may have distinctive cultural, political, or economic traits that differentiate it from the rest of the nation.

    Additionally, south can refer to the compass point directly opposite north and aligned with the earth's magnetic field. It is commonly used for navigation, orientation, and as a reference point in maps and globes.

    South is often associated with notions such as warmth, sunlight, and relaxation, as well as with folklore or traditions tied to southern regions. Some countries or states may have popular tourist destinations located in the south due to its more favorable climate or natural beauty.

    In summary, south is a directional term referring to the opposite of north, indicating either a lower geographical region or a specific location within a larger context, usually associated with a warmer climate and distinct characteristics.

  2. • Lying towards the south.
    • Towards the south.
    • The direction in which the sun always appears at noon in the northern hemisphere north of the tropic; one of the four cardinal points; the direction opposite to the north.
    • Being in the south.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for SOUTH *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for SOUTH

Etymology of SOUTH

The word "south" originated from the Old English word "sūþ", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "sūþaz". This word is believed to have derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*seu", meaning "sun". The notion behind this etymology is that "south" refers to the direction where the sun is located during mid-day. The word has remained relatively consistent in its meaning across various Germanic languages, including modern English.

Idioms with the word SOUTH

  • go south The idiom "go south" typically means to deteriorate, fail, or go wrong. It can refer to a situation, plan, or outcome that doesn't turn out as expected or as desired. It is often used to describe something that starts well but ends in disappointment or failure.
  • down South The idiom "down South" typically refers to a direction or location in the southern regions of a country or region. It is often used to describe going or traveling to the southern part of a specific area. However, it can also carry cultural connotations associated with the southern region, such as a distinct way of life, dialect, or climate.
  • south of The idiom "south of" is used to describe something that falls below or is less than a particular standard or expectation. It indicates a position or quality that is considered lower, inferior, or below average.
  • the South The idiom "the South" typically refers to the southern region of a country, especially the United States. It can be used to describe a specific geographical region, cultural region, or historical context associated with the southern parts of a country. In the context of the United States, "the South" generally refers to the states that were part of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, known for their distinctive culture, history, and traditional values.
  • head south The idiom "head south" means to go in a downward direction or to move towards a less promising or desirable outcome. It can also refer to traveling towards a warmer climate typically associated with the southern regions on a map.
  • mouth full of South
  • head north/south To go in a particular direction, either north or south. It can also refer to making progress or moving forward in a certain way.

Similar spelling words for SOUTH

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