Word
southbound
Phoneticssouth·bound, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsaʊθˌbaʊnd/
UK/sˈaʊθbaʊnd/
Definition
adj. moving or leading toward the south. You use this to describe a road, a train, or a person traveling in that direction.
adj. moving, leading, or facing toward the south. Often used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb.
Examples
“We are currently on the southbound train.”
“Heavy traffic is building up on the southbound lanes of the highway due to construction.”
“The migratory birds began their southbound journey as the first signs of autumn appeared in the northern forests.”
Examples
simple
“We are currently on the southbound train.”
contextual
“Heavy traffic is building up on the southbound lanes of the highway due to construction.”
complex
“The migratory birds began their southbound journey as the first signs of autumn appeared in the northern forests.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies, though it can follow a linking verb like 'be' or 'head'.
Etymology
From south + -bound.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 2
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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