sidle
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to move sideways or obliquely.
-
to edge along furtively.
noun
verb
-
to move in a furtive or stealthy manner; edge along
-
to move along sideways
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has sidledperfect 3rd person singular
-
have sidledperfect
-
has been sidlingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
are sidlingprogressive
-
is sidlingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
have been sidlingperfect progressive
-
am sidlingprogressive 1st person singular
-
sidlessingular 3rd person
-
sidlingparticiple
Past
-
had sidledperfect
-
was sidlingprogressive singular
-
had been sidlingperfect progressive
-
were sidlingprogressive plural
-
sidledparticiple
-
sidledsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of sidle
First recorded in 1690–1700; back formation from sideling (earlier spelling sidling misconstrued as present participle of a verb ending in -le )
Explanation
To sidle is to walk, but in a way that's casual, quiet, and a little sneaky. If you want to surprise someone, sidle up to them and say, "Boo!" There’s a TV show where a character’s coworker has a habit of walking so softly that he constantly startles her — she never notices him coming. So of course she buys wrestling shoes and tries to sidle back! Sidling is a type of walking that is super quiet. If you want to leave a party without people noticing, sidle out the door. Sidling is a good way to slip away.
Vocabulary lists containing sidle
"Everyday Use" by Alice Walker
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"To Build a Fire," Vocabulary from the short story
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Grade 12, List 6
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Do they sort of sidle up to you in the elevator and say, “Good job”? Or do they ignore you in the cafeteria and hope that this passes?
From Slate • May 12, 2026
They’re more like trusty gags that sidle in wearing Groucho Marx glasses.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 31, 2025
You all need to sidle up to a person and sit next to them so that the next couple can sit together.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 25, 2022
A friendly cat will sidle up to you, tail and ears up, and may treat your leg like a foam roller.
From Washington Post • Oct. 6, 2022
I sidle up to my mom in the kitchen area, but she doesn’t thank me for my heroic feat of keeping the kids out from underfoot.
From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
