seaside
see-SYD
Seaside (noun) means an area next to the sea, typically a beach resort or coastal town, especially in British English. Example: “They spent a week at the seaside every summer as children.”
noun
1
An area next to the sea, typically a beach resort or coastal town, especially in British English.
"They spent a week at the seaside every summer as children."
"The seaside town was packed with tourists during the bank holiday."
"We ate chips on the pier and watched the gulls at the seaside."
How to use seaside
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA place by the sea, especially a beach or coastal resort town — common in British English rather than American.
UK vs US
Chiefly British; Americans more often say "the beach" or "the coast."
Common pairings
a trip to the seaside
a seaside town
seaside resort
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Word forms
- Plural
- seasides
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They spent a week at the _____ every summer as children.
Etymology
From Middle English "see-syde," literally "sea side."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for seaside
See all rhymes for seaside →Frequently asked questions
What does “seaside” mean?
The word “seaside” means an area next to the sea, typically a beach resort or coastal town, especially in British English. In plain terms, a place by the sea, especially a beach or coastal resort town — common in British English rather than American.
How do you pronounce “seaside”?
“Seaside” is pronounced see-SYD (/ˌsiːˈsaɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “seaside” in a sentence?
Here is “seaside” used in a sentence: “They spent a week at the seaside every summer as children.”
What part of speech is “seaside”?
“Seaside” is a noun.
Where does the word “seaside” come from?
The word “seaside” comes from Middle English. From Middle English "see-syde," literally "sea side.".
Is “seaside” a common word?
“Seaside” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between seaside and coast?
Seaside specifically evokes an area next to the sea associated with leisure, such as a beach resort or coastal town, especially in British English. Coast is a more neutral geographic term for the land bordering any sea, without the resort or holiday connotation seaside carries.
Is seaside mainly a British English term?
Yes, seaside is especially common in British English to describe beach towns and resort areas, whereas American English more often uses 'beach' or 'coast' in everyday speech.
Can seaside be used as an adjective?
Yes, seaside is frequently used attributively, as in 'seaside town' or 'seaside resort', describing something located in or characteristic of a coastal holiday area.
