aside

American  

[uh-sahyd] / əˈsaɪd /

adverb

1. on or to one side; to or at a short distance apart; away from some position or direction.

   to turn aside; to move the chair aside.

2. away from one's thoughts or consideration.

   to put one's cares aside.

3. in reserve; in a separate place, as for safekeeping; apart; away.

   to put some money aside for a rainy day.

4. away from a present group, especially for reasons of privacy; off to another part, as of a room; into or to a separate place.

   He took him aside and talked business.

5. in spite of; put apart; notwithstanding.

   all kidding aside; unusual circumstances aside.

---

noun

1. a part of an actor's lines supposedly not heard by others on the stage and intended only for the audience.

2. words spoken so as not to be heard by others present.

3. a temporary departure from a main theme or topic, especially a parenthetical comment or remark; short digression.

idioms

1. aside from,

   1. apart from; besides; excluding.

      Aside from her salary, she receives money from investments.

   2. except for.

      They had no more food, aside from a few stale rolls.

aside British  

/ əˈsaɪd /

adverb

1. on or to one side

   they stood aside to let him pass

2. out of hearing; in or into seclusion

   he took her aside to tell her of his plan

3. away from oneself

   he threw the book aside

4. out of mind or consideration

   he put aside all fears

5. in or into reserve

   to put aside money for old age

6. (preposition)

   1. besides

      he has money aside from his possessions

   2. except for Compare apart

      he has nothing aside from the clothes he stands in

---

noun

1. something spoken by an actor, intended to be heard by the audience, but not by the others on stage

2. any confidential statement spoken in undertones

3. a digression

aside More Idioms  

1. see all joking aside; lay aside; set aside; take aside.

---

Other Word Forms

• quasi-aside adverb

Etymology

Origin of aside

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; a- ¹, side ¹

Example Sentences

Currently, Chinese banks have to set aside a 20% risk reserve on forward currency trades.

From The Wall Street Journal

He wrote that she “is in my opinion easily the likely lock to lead Berkshire’s insurance operation when Ajit does step aside. She’s 53 with a long horizon to continue Ajit’s monumental contribution to Berkshire.”

From Barron's

These relics were set aside, and the digging resumed with the shout, “Great God! Here are the pieces of a broken bowl!”

From Literature

The result was above the C$1.06 billion analysts were looking for the bank to set aside against the risk of loan losses.

From The Wall Street Journal

Early market turmoil aside, 2025 was a pretty good year for investors.

From Barron's

Related Words

• alone
• away
• out
• separately