noun
Uncommon
sidekick
SYD-kihk
Sidekick (noun) means a close companion or assistant, especially to a more prominent or important person. Example: “Batman's sidekick is Robin.”
noun
1
A close companion or assistant, especially to a more prominent or important person.
"Batman's sidekick is Robin."
"He brought his sidekick along to help carry the equipment."
"Elon Musk, Mr. Trump’s new sidekick, shared on his social media platform X an NBC News video of Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, who suggested the Gaetz pick was a strategic move to upset Democrats."
— Linda Feldmann, Trump’s eye-popping Cabinet picks show his top priority: Loyalty (2024)
"If representation and recruitment is an objective, self-styled mavericks like Kelly and his Queensland sidekick George Christensen have some utility."
— Katharine Murphy, The Guardian (2021)
How to use sidekick
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe loyal helper or friend who supports a main character or leader.
Common pairings
faithful sidekick
trusty sidekick
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Word forms
- Plural
- sidekicks
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Batman's _____ is Robin.
Etymology
From "side" plus old slang "kick", meaning a front trouser pocket — considered the safest place to keep valuables, so a "sidekick" was one's closest, most trusted companion.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “sidekick” mean?
The word “sidekick” means a close companion or assistant, especially to a more prominent or important person. In plain terms, the loyal helper or friend who supports a main character or leader.
How do you pronounce “sidekick”?
“Sidekick” is pronounced SYD-kihk (/ˈsaɪdkɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “sidekick” in a sentence?
Here is “sidekick” used in a sentence: “Batman's sidekick is Robin.”
What is another word for “sidekick”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sidekick” include acolyte, deuteragonist, pupil and wingman.
What is the opposite of “sidekick”?
The opposite of “sidekick” — its antonyms — is mentor.
What part of speech is “sidekick”?
“Sidekick” is a noun.
Is “sidekick” a common word?
“Sidekick” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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