side — English Dictionary

side
Pronunciations (10)
  • /ˈsaɪ̯d/
  • [ˈsaɪ̯d]
  • /ˈsɑɪ̯d/
    Pronunciation notes
    • Australia
  • [ˈsɑ̟ɪ̯d]
    Pronunciation notes
    • Australia
  • /ˈsɒ̈ɪ̯d/
    Pronunciation notes
    • Australia
  • [ˈsɒ̈ɪ̯d]
    Pronunciation notes
    • Australia
  • /ˈsɛɪd/
    Pronunciation notes
    • Northumbria
  • /ˈsʌi̯d/
    Pronunciation notes
    • Scotland
  • /ˈsaːd/
    Pronunciation notes
    • Appalachia
    • General-South-African
    • Southern-US
  • [ˈsaːd]
    Pronunciation notes
    • Appalachia
    • General-South-African
    • Southern-US

Noun

  1. A bounding straight edge of a two-dimensional shape.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    A square has four sides.

  2. A flat surface of a three-dimensional object; a face.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    A cube has six sides.

    He said, “Where we’re at right now was back in 2008 all covered with ice. From here to there at the side, the glacier shrank about 20 to 30 meters.”

  3. One half (left or right, top or bottom, front or back, etc.) of something or someone.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    Which side of the tray shall I put it on? The patient was bleeding on the right side.

    More examples (2)

    We expressed our readiness, and in ten minutes were in the station wagon, rolling rapidly down the long drive, for it was then after nine.[…]As we reached the lodge we heard the whistle, and we backed up against one side of the platform as the train pulled up at the other.

    The slightest effort made the patient cough. He would stand leaning on a stick and holding a hand to his side, and when the paroxysm had passed it left him shaking.

  4. A region in a specified position with respect to something.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    Meet me on the north side of the monument.

    More examples (1)

    Orion hit a rabbit once; but though sore wounded it got to the bury, and, struggling in, the arrow caught the side of the hole and was drawn out. Indeed, a nail filed sharp is not of much avail as an arrowhead; you must have it barbed, and that was a little beyond our skill.

  5. The portion of the human torso usually covered by the arms when they are not raised; the areas on the left and right between the belly or chest and the back.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    Meronyms: flank, loin; latus, lumbus

    I generally sleep on my side.

    More examples (1)

    Roll the patient onto the left side so that head, shoulders, and torso move at the same time without twisting.

  6. One surface of a sheet of paper (used instead of "page", which can mean one or both surfaces.)

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    John wrote 15 sides for his essay!

  7. One possible aspect of a concept, person, or thing.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    Look on the bright side.

    She has a mean side (to her).

  8. One set of competitors in a game.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    Which side has kick-off?

  9. A sports team.

    Usage
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • UK usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    Newly promoted, they were top of the First Division and unbeaten when they took on a Manchester United side that had been revitalized by a new manager,[…].

    More examples (2)

    It was no less than Valencia deserved after dominating possession in the final 20 minutes although Chelsea defended resolutely and restricted the Spanish side to shooting from long range.

    Initially, the English, Welsh, Scots and Irish unions refused to send national sides, preferring instead to send touring sides like the Barbarians, the Penguins, the Co-Optimists, the Wolfhounds, Crawshays Welsh, and the Public School Wanderers.

  10. A group of morris dancers who perform together.

    Usage
    • collective
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
  11. A group having a particular allegiance in a conflict or competition.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    there are two sides to every question

    Although there are two sides to every story, the fallacy that they are inevitably equally ethical is called bothsidesism.

    More examples (4)

    In the Second World War, the Italians were on the side of the Germans until Italy switched sides in 1943.

    "Creating artificial rain over the Yellow Sea would help the Chinese side too," the spokesman said Kim told the meeting.

    We have not always been of the[…]same side in politics.

    sets the passions on the side of truth

  12. A recorded piece of music; a record, especially in jazz.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples
    More examples (1)

    But Bechet chafed under even the loose discipline of the Ellington group, and left. Through these years he wandered, making only a few sides, at the moment when jazz records were beginning to flood onto the market.

  13. Sidespin; english

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    He had to put a bit of side on to hit the pink ball.

  14. A television channel, usually as opposed to the one currently being watched (from when there were only two channels).

    Usage
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • UK usage
    • Countable
    • Dated
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    I just want to see what's on the other side — James said there was a good film on tonight.

  15. A dish that accompanies the main course; a side dish.

    Usage
    • Canada
    • Philippines
    • US usage
    • Colloquial
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    Do you want a side of cole-slaw with that?

  16. A line of descent traced through a particular relative, usually a parent or spouse, as distinguished from that traced through another.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    his mother's side of the family

    To sit upon thy father David's throne, / By Mothers side thy father.

    More examples (1)

    Thankfully our son agreed and chose a name which, according to what I have been told is the name of the last in a long line of Rabbis on my wife's side.

  17. The batters faced in an inning by a particular pitcher.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    Clayton Kershaw struck out the side in the 6th inning.

  18. An unjustified air of self-importance; a conceited attitude.

    Usage
    • Dated
    • Slang
    • Uncountable
    Examples
    More examples (1)

    Indeed, Yeere was rapidly beginning to forget what he had been. One of his own rank and file put the matter brutally when he asked Yeere, in reference to nothing, “And who has been making you a Member of Council, lately? You carry the side of half a dozen of ’em.”

    Theobald posed as the most ardent lover imaginable, but, to use the vulgarism for the moment in fashion, it was all “side.”

    More examples (1)

    His manner never had been modest or retiring. Now it was unmistakably swanky; he was putting on side to an extent that made fellows who observed him smile and shrug their shoulders.

  19. A written monologue or part of a scene to be read by an actor at an audition.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    Some directors use full scripts (book); others use “sides,” which consist of one or two words of the cue and the subsequent full speech of the individual actor.

    The short scenes in this book are particularly useful for audition workshops since audition sides are rarely longer than two pages.

  20. A person who prefers not to engage in anal sex during same-sex sexual activity.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    My boyfriend and I are both sides; we prefer to do oral and other stuff.

  21. A root.

    Usage
    • Countable
    • Obsolete
    • Uncountable
    Examples

    And 9 is said to be the Square, 27 the Cube of 3, which is call'd the Side of 9 and 27, &c.

Adjective

  1. Being on the left or right, or toward the left or right; lateral.

    Examples

    One mighty squadron with a side wind sped.

  2. Indirect; oblique; incidental.

    Examples

    a side issue; a side view or remark

    The law hath no side respect to their persons.

Verb

  1. To ally oneself, be in an alliance, usually with "with" or rarely "in with"

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    Examples

    Which will you side with, good or evil?

    More examples (1)

    All rising to great place is by a winding star; and if there be factions, it is good to side a man's self, whilst he is in the rising, and to balance himself when he is placed.

    All side in parties, and begin the attack.

    More examples (1)

    How does it feel... to... side in with those who voted against you in 1947?

  2. To lean on one side.

  3. To be or stand at the side of; to be on the side toward.

    Usage
    • Obsolete
    • Transitive
    Examples

    His blind eye that syded Paridell.

  4. To suit; to pair; to match.

    Usage
    • Obsolete
    • Transitive
    Examples
    More examples (1)

    1660-1667, Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon, The Life of Edward Earl of Clarendon He had ure read more , and carried more about him , in his excellent Memory , than any Man I ever knew , my Lord Falkland only excepted , who I think ided him

  5. To work (a timber or rib) to a certain thickness by trimming the sides.

    Usage
    • Transitive
  6. To furnish with a siding.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    to side a house

  7. To provide with, as a side or accompaniment.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    Entrees are sided with a generous portion of vegetables, and some include little surprises […]

    A chocolate cakelette, caramel percolating from its warm top, is sided with peanut butter chantilly cream.

Adjective

  1. Wide; large; long, pendulous, hanging low, trailing; far-reaching.

    Usage
    • Northern-England
    • Scotland
    • UK usage
    • Archaic
    • dialectal
    Examples
    More examples (1)

    But when he perceaved that the sayd Pryest could not pourge himself of the foresayd crime he prively payed him his quarters wages before hande and suffered hym to departe without farther tryall of the sayd cryme: and now he jetteth in london wyth side gown and sarcenet typet as good a virgin priest as the best.

    Hiz gooun had syde sleeuez dooun to midlegge, slit from the shooulder too the hand, & lined with white cotten.

    More examples (2)

    What doe we make dost thou aske? why we make faces for feare: such as if thy mortall eyes could behold, would make thee water the long seames of thy side slops […]

    By my troth, ’s but a night-gown in respect of yours: cloth o’ gold, and cuts, and laced with silver, set with pearls, down sleeves, side sleeves, and skirts, round underborne with a bluish tinsel […]

  2. Far; distant.

    Usage
    • Scotland

Adverb

  1. Widely; wide; far.

    Usage
    • UK usage
    • dialectal

Verb

  1. To clear, tidy or sort.

    Examples

    Meanwhile I have plenty to employ me, in siding drawers and locked places, which I left in the disgracefullest confusion ;

    Now side everything away. The medicines too —put them in the cupboard.

    More examples (1)

    As it had done then, Clare's heart, in a constant state of stress these days, missed a beat now, and she turned hastily to the table where she was siding the dinner things, doing her best to hide her expression which surely would give her away.

Adjective

  1. located on a side

    Antonyms
    Examples

    side fences

    the side porch

Noun

  1. a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

    Broader terms
    Examples

    they always sat on the right side of the church

    he never left my side

  2. one of two or more contesting groups

    Broader terms
    Examples

    the Confederate side was prepared to attack

  3. either the left or right half of a body

    Broader terms
    Examples

    he had a pain in his side

  4. a surface forming part of the outside of an object

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    he examined all sides of the crystal

    dew dripped from the face of the leaf

    More examples (1)

    they travelled across the face of the continent

  5. an extended outer surface of an object

    Broader terms
    Examples

    he turned the box over to examine the bottom side

    they painted all four sides of the house

  6. an aspect of something (as contrasted with some other implied aspect)

    Broader terms
    Examples

    he was on the heavy side

    he is on the purchasing side of the business

    More examples (1)

    it brought out his better side

  7. a line segment forming part of the perimeter of a plane figure

    Broader terms
    Examples

    the hypotenuse of a right triangle is always the longest side

  8. a family line of descent

    Examples

    he gets his brains from his father's side

  9. a lengthwise dressed half of an animal's carcass used for food

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
  10. an opinion that is held in opposition to another in an argument or dispute

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    there are two sides to every question

  11. an elevated geological formation

    Synonyms
    Examples

    he climbed the steep slope

    the house was built on the side of a mountain

  12. (sports) the spin given to a ball by striking it on one side or releasing it with a sharp twist

    Synonyms
    Broader terms

Verb

  1. take sides for or against

    Broader terms
    Examples

    Who are you siding with?

    I'm siding against the current candidate

Word forms
sidesmore sidemost sidesidessidingsidedsided

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