aside
uh-SYD
Aside (adv) means to one side, or out of the way. Example: “She stepped aside to let the paramedics through.”
adv
1
To one side, or out of the way.
"She stepped aside to let the paramedics through."
"He set his phone aside and focused on the conversation."
"Please move your bags aside so that people can walk past."
2
Excluded from consideration, used to set a topic apart before moving on.
"Joking aside, we need to finish this report by Friday."
"Cost aside, the plan has several practical problems we must discuss."
"All jokes aside, are you really going to quit your job?"
noun
1
A remark made quietly to one person, or (in theater) a line spoken by a character directly to the audience that other characters are assumed not to hear.
"In an aside to the audience, the actor revealed the villain's plan."
"He muttered an aside to his colleague during the meeting."
"She whispered an aside to her friend about the long speech."
How to use aside
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither moved out of the way, or a quick side remark that isn't part of the main conversation.
Common pairings
step aside
set aside
joking aside
in an aside
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Word forms
- Plural
- asides
- Comparative
- more aside
- Superlative
- most aside
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She stepped _____ to let the paramedics through.
Etymology
From Old English "on sīdan," literally "on the side of" — the same root as beside.
Synonyms
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apart
to one side
away
sideways
to the side
out of the way
by
divagation
parenthesis
excursus
digression
sidebar
Related words
Rhymes for aside
See all rhymes for aside →Frequently asked questions
What does “aside” mean?
The word “aside” means to one side, or out of the way. In plain terms, either moved out of the way, or a quick side remark that isn't part of the main conversation.
How do you pronounce “aside”?
“Aside” is pronounced uh-SYD (/əˈsaɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “aside” in a sentence?
Here is “aside” used in a sentence: “She stepped aside to let the paramedics through.”
What is another word for “aside”?
Words with a similar meaning to “aside” include sidebar and side note.
What part of speech is “aside”?
Depending on how it is used, “aside” can be an adverb and a noun.
Where does the word “aside” come from?
The word “aside” comes from Old English. From Old English "on sīdan," literally "on the side of" — the same root as beside.
Is “aside” a common word?
“Aside” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “aside” have?
“Aside” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to one side, or out of the way.
What is the difference between aside and beside?
'Aside' means to one side or out of the way — 'step aside', 'set your fears aside'. 'Beside' means next to or at the side of something — 'sit beside me'. Though both involve a 'side', aside is about moving something away, while beside is about position next to another thing.
What is an example of 'aside'?
You might step aside to let someone pass, move a chair aside to clear space, or put money aside for later. In each case something is shifted to one side or kept out of the way. The phrase 'joking aside' means setting humour to one side to be serious.
What is an aside in a play?
In theatre, an 'aside' is a short remark a character speaks directly to the audience, or to one other character, that the others on stage are meant not to hear. It reveals private thoughts or comments on the action, and the term comes from the idea of speaking off to one side.
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