side
SYD
Side (noun) means one of the surfaces or edges of an object, or one of two halves (left/right, front/back) of something. Example: “Write your name on the other side of the page.”
noun
1
One of the surfaces or edges of an object, or one of two halves (left/right, front/back) of something.
"Write your name on the other side of the page."
"He lay on his side to fall asleep more easily."
"The cat curled up on the sunny side of the sofa."
2
A team or group competing against another.
"Our side scored twice in the second half."
"The home side were cheered on by thousands of loud fans."
"Which side did you play for when you were at school?"
3
A position, viewpoint, or party in an argument or conflict.
"She always tries to see both sides of an argument."
"Which side are you on in this debate?"
"I'm not taking sides in this argument between my two best friends."
4
A dish served alongside the main course.
"I ordered a burger with a side of fries."
"Would you like a side of rice or a small salad?"
"The waiter brought mashed potatoes as a side for the chicken."
verb
1
To support one party over another in a disagreement, usually as "side with".
"His friends all sided with him after the argument."
"In the dispute over the fence, the neighbours all sided with her."
"Whenever my parents argue, I try not to side with either one."
How to use side
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA surface, edge, half, team, viewpoint, or accompanying dish — one of many senses all built around the idea of "one part of a whole".
Common pairings
side with someone
on the side
side dish
take sides
the other side
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Word forms
- Plural
- sides
- Third person singular
- sides
- Past tense
- sided
- Comparative
- more side
- Superlative
- most side
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Write your name on the other _____ of the page.
Etymology
From Old English sīde ("side, flank"), from a Germanic root related to Proto-Indo-European words for "long" or "lasting".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for side
See all rhymes for side →Frequently asked questions
What does “side” mean?
The word “side” means one of the surfaces or edges of an object, or one of two halves (left/right, front/back) of something. In plain terms, a surface, edge, half, team, viewpoint, or accompanying dish — one of many senses all built around the idea of "one part of a whole".
How do you pronounce “side”?
“Side” is pronounced SYD (/ˈsaɪ̯d/ in IPA).
How do you use “side” in a sentence?
Here is “side” used in a sentence: “Write your name on the other side of the page.”
What part of speech is “side”?
Depending on how it is used, “side” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “side” come from?
The word “side” comes from Old English. From Old English sīde ("side, flank"), from a Germanic root related to Proto-Indo-European words for "long" or "lasting".
Is “side” a common word?
“Side” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “side” have?
“Side” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: one of the surfaces or edges of an object, or one of two halves (left/right, front/back) of something.
What is the difference between a side and an edge?
An edge is the line where two surfaces meet, like the sharp rim of a table. A side is usually a whole surface or face, or one half of something — the left side, the far side. So a box has flat sides but sharp edges where those sides come together.
What are the different meanings of 'side'?
'Side' has several senses. It can mean a surface or edge of an object, one of two halves such as left and right, a team or group in a contest ('our side won'), or one point of view in an argument ('hear both sides'). Context makes the meaning clear.
How many sides does a shape have?
It depends on the shape. A triangle has three sides, a square or rectangle has four, a pentagon five, and so on. In flat geometry each side is one of the straight edges forming the outline. A circle, having no straight edges, is usually described as having no sides at all.
What is an example of 'side' in a sentence?
You might say, 'Write on both sides of the paper,' meaning its surfaces, or 'She sat on the other side of the room,' meaning one half of a space. 'Side' can also mean allegiance, as in 'Whose side are you on?'
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