noun
broadside
BRAWD-syd
Broadside (noun) means a strong, forceful attack, whether spoken or written. Example: “The critic launched a broadside against the new policy.”
noun
1
A strong, forceful attack, whether spoken or written.
"The critic launched a broadside against the new policy."
2
Historically, the simultaneous firing of all the guns on one side of a warship.
"The ship fired a broadside at the approaching fleet."
adv
1
Sideways, with the side facing something, especially in a collision.
"The car skidded and hit the wall broadside."
How to use broadside
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA forceful attack (in words), or the old naval meaning of firing all guns on one side of a ship at once; also used to mean "sideways."
Common pairings
launch a broadside
hit broadside
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Word forms
- Plural
- broadsides
- Third person singular
- broadsides
- Past tense
- broadsided
Fill the gap
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The critic launched a _____ against the new policy.
Etymology
From broad + side, originally a naval term for firing all the cannons on one side of a ship at once.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for broadside
See all rhymes for broadside →Frequently asked questions
What does “broadside” mean?
The word “broadside” means a strong, forceful attack, whether spoken or written. In plain terms, a forceful attack (in words), or the old naval meaning of firing all guns on one side of a ship at once; also used to mean "sideways.".
How do you pronounce “broadside”?
“Broadside” is pronounced BRAWD-syd (/ˈbrɔdˌsaɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “broadside” in a sentence?
Here is “broadside” used in a sentence: “The critic launched a broadside against the new policy.”
What part of speech is “broadside”?
Depending on how it is used, “broadside” can be a noun and an adverb.
How many meanings does “broadside” have?
“Broadside” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a strong, forceful attack, whether spoken or written.
