Gaming
side quest
What does side quest mean?
An unexpected detour or spontaneous mini-adventure that takes you away from what you were supposed to be doing. From gaming, where side quests are optional missions outside the main story.
"Went out for milk and ended up on a three-hour side quest."
Origin
"Side quest" comes from video games, where it's an optional mission separate from the main storyline. Gen Z adopted it for real-life detours and spontaneous adventures, framing daily life like an RPG.
Frequently asked questions
What does side quest mean in slang?
A side quest is an unplanned detour or random adventure that pulls you off your main task — borrowed from video games.
Where did side quest come from?
It comes from video games, where side quests are optional missions, and Gen Z applied it to real-life detours.
How is a side quest different from a main quest?
A main quest is your actual goal; a side quest is an optional, often random detour from it.
How do you use side quest in a sentence?
For example: "that became a side quest" — an unplanned adventure.
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