southwards

Everyday

1. Southwards means towards the south. tree →
2. It describes the direction of a movement or a journey going to the south. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and map lessons, the compass points are north, south, east and west; going southwards means moving down a usual map. In science, many birds fly southwards in autumn (in the northern half of the world) to warmer places. Phrases: «head southwards», «fly southwards», «move southwards».

Examples

• The geese flew southwards for the winter. tree →
• We drove southwards towards the coast. tree →
• The river flows southwards to the sea. tree →
• On a map, southwards is usually down the page. tree →
• The storm was moving southwards. tree →
• From the station, walk southwards for two blocks. tree →
• In Australia, going southwards makes it colder. tree →
• Finnian, the Abbott of Moville, went southwards and eastwards in great haste. tree →

Note

«Southwards» is more common in UK English; «southward» in US English; both mean the same. Opposite: «northwards». Trap: in the southern hemisphere (Australia, New Zealand), going southwards takes you towards colder places, not warmer ones.