adj · adv · noun · 15 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˈsaɪdweɪz/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:S AY1 D W EY2 Z
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Moving or directed toward one side.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Giving Mary a sideways glance, he said,[...].
He gave the ball a sideways kick.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Positioned sideways (with a side to the front).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: informal
Examples
There was a stack of papers in front of each seat at the table, but each stack was sideways.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adj
Meaning 3
Neither moving upward nor moving downward.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: informal
Examples
Once we get out of this sideways economy, our figures will more accurately reflect what we're truly capable of.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adj
Meaning 4
In conflict (with); not compatible (with).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: informal, usually
Examples
He was constantly getting sideways with his boss till he got fired.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adv
Meaning 5
With a side to the front.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
He builds houses sideways, with the front door on the side.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
adv
Meaning 6
Towards one side.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
A bishop moves only diagonally; a rook, only sideways, forward, and back.
He looked sideways at the new arrival, wondering who she was.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
adv
Meaning 7
Askance; sidelong.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
adv
Meaning 8
Neither upward nor downward.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: informal
Examples
The economy has been moving sideways for several months now.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
adv
Meaning 9
Not as planned; towards a worse outcome.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, colloquial
Examples
We realized the project could go sideways very quickly if we didn't get the sales and marketing people on our side.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: south
Antonyms: none provided
10
noun
Meaning 10
plural of sideway
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: form-of, plural
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
11
adjective satellite
Meaning 11
(of movement) at an angle
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: crabwise
Antonyms: none provided
12
adverb
Meaning 12
to, toward or at one side
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
darting eyes looking sidelong out of a wizened face
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: sidelong, obliquely
Antonyms: none provided
13
adverb
Meaning 13
toward one side
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
the car slipped sideways into the ditch
leaning sideways
a figure moving sidewise in the shadows
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: sideway, sidewise
Antonyms: none provided
14
adverb
Meaning 14
from the side; obliquely
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a picture lit sideways
scenes viewed sidewise
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: sideway, sidewise
Antonyms: none provided
15
adverb
Meaning 15
with one side forward or to the front
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
turned sideways to show the profile
crabs seeming to walk sidewise
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: sideway, sidewise
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From side + -ways.
See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.
Across languages
Translations
47 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Finnish:
sivuttainen
— moving or directed towards one side
German:
seitlich
— moving or directed towards one side
German:
Seiten-
— moving or directed towards one side
Ancient Greek:
λέχριος
(lékhrios)
— moving or directed towards one side
Irish:
cliathánach
— moving or directed towards one side
Khiamniungan Naga:
ì
— moving or directed towards one side
Polish:
bokiem
— moving or directed towards one side
Spanish:
de lado
— moving or directed towards one side
Spanish:
de costado
— moving or directed towards one side
Spanish:
de soslayo
— moving or directed towards one side
Spanish:
de refilón
— moving or directed towards one side
Spanish:
de reojo
— moving or directed towards one side
German:
seitlich
— positioned sideways
Irish:
cliathánach
— positioned sideways
Polish:
bokiem
— positioned sideways
German:
auf der Stelle tretend
— neither moving up nor moving down
Polish:
na bok
— neither moving up nor moving down
Dutch:
zijwaarts
— with a side to the front
Finnish:
sivuttain
— with a side to the front
French:
de côté
— with a side to the front
German:
seitlich
— with a side to the front
Ancient Greek:
λικριφίς
(likriphís)
— with a side to the front
Latin:
oblīquē
— with a side to the front
Polish:
bokiem
— with a side to the front
Finnish:
sivulle
— towards one side
Finnish:
sivuttain
— towards one side
French:
de côté
— towards one side
German:
seitwärts
— towards one side
German:
zu Seite
— towards one side
Norwegian Bokmål:
sidelengs
— towards one side
Norwegian Bokmål:
sideveis
— towards one side
Norwegian Nynorsk:
sidelengs
— towards one side
Plautdietsch:
dwäa
— towards one side
Polish:
bokiem
— towards one side
Polish:
na bok
— towards one side
Finnish:
viistossa
— askance
Finnish:
viistoon
— askance
Finnish:
vinossa
— askance
Finnish:
vinosti
— askance
Finnish:
vinottain
— askance
French:
de travers
— askance
German:
schräg
— askance
German:
schief
— askance
German:
seitwärts
— askance
Polish:
z ukosa
— askance
German:
auf der Stelle
— neither upward nor downward
