verb
sidle
SYDL
Sidle (verb) means to move sideways, often in a shy, cautious, or sneaky way. Example: “He sidled up to the counter, hoping no one would notice him.”
verb
1
To move sideways, often in a shy, cautious, or sneaky way.
"You could drive a band of hosses up the steepest kind of hill but nobody that I ever knowed could drive a bunch straight down (that goes with cows, too)—they'd sidle it every time."
— Charles Marion Russell, Range Horses (2011)
"He sidled up to the counter, hoping no one would notice him."
"She sidled out of the meeting before anyone could ask her a question."
How to use sidle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo edge sideways somewhere quietly or shyly.
Common pairings
sidle up to
sidle away
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Word forms
- Plural
- sidles
- Third person singular
- sidles
- Past tense
- sidled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ up to the counter, hoping no one would notice him.
Etymology
Likely a back-formation from the older adverb "sideling" ("in a sideways direction"), reshaped with the "-le" verb ending.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for sidle
See all rhymes for sidle →Frequently asked questions
What does “sidle” mean?
The word “sidle” means to move sideways, often in a shy, cautious, or sneaky way. In plain terms, to edge sideways somewhere quietly or shyly.
How do you pronounce “sidle”?
“Sidle” is pronounced SYDL (/ˈsaɪdəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “sidle” in a sentence?
Here is “sidle” used in a sentence: “He sidled up to the counter, hoping no one would notice him.”
What part of speech is “sidle”?
“Sidle” is a verb.
