alongside

American  

[uh-lawng-sahyd, uh-long-] / əˈlɔŋˈsaɪd, əˈlɒŋ- /

adverb

1. along, by, at, or to the side of something.

   We brought the boat alongside.

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preposition

1. beside; by the side of.

   The dog ran alongside me all the way.

2. Informal. alongside of, compared with.

   Alongside of his brother, he is no student at all.

alongside British  

/ əˈlɒŋˌsaɪd /

preposition

1. (often foll by of) along the side of; along beside

   alongside the quay

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adverb

1. along the side of some specified thing

   come alongside

Etymology

Origin of alongside

First recorded in 1700–10; along + side ¹

Explanation

Use the adverb alongside when two things are right next to each other, like a boat and a dock or a hunter and her loyal dog. If you pull up alongside your friend's car in a parking lot, it means that you've parked directly beside it. Alongside can also imply cooperation, as when a baker's assistant works alongside him, kneading dough and wiping flour off the counter. Alongside was once a phrase, either "along side" or "along the side," both primarily used in a nautical sense, to talk about boats. In the 1700s it became a single word.

Example Sentences

However, experts on the review concluded there were "potentially avoidable" outcomes relating to 444 maternity cases examined up to May 2025, alongside 76 neonatal cases.

From BBC • Jun. 24, 2026

“Moreover, the rapidly increasing equity supply expected over the coming quarters, alongside potentially tighter monetary policy, could constrain equity multiples,” the strategists said.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 24, 2026

That’s when Shahsavani said she pulled up alongside the vehicle and attempted to tell the boys to “sit back down.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2026

Marvell was added to the S&P 500 this week alongside data-center supplier Flex, as old school company’s Pool Corp and Campbell’s were shown the door.

From Barron's • Jun. 23, 2026

Ahead, the winding river took a sharp turn and traveled alongside Fernlight Road, then carved back through Deadwood in the shape of a tight horseshoe, forming a bend of shallow waters.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman