one-sided
Americanadjective
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considering but one side of a matter or question; partial or unfair.
a one-sided judgment.
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with one party, contestant, side, etc., vastly superior; unbalanced; unequal.
a one-sided fight.
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existing or occurring on one side only.
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having but one side, or but one developed or finished side.
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having one side larger or more developed than the other.
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Law. involving the action of one person only.
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having the parts all on one side, as an inflorescence.
adjective
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considering or favouring only one side of a matter, problem, etc
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having all the advantage on one side
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larger or more developed on one side
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having, existing on, or occurring on one side only
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another term for unilateral
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denoting a surface on which any two points can be joined without crossing an edge See Möbius strip
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of one-sided
First recorded in 1805–15
Explanation
One-sided means only showing a single side of a complicated issue, or being biased. A newspaper article is one-sided if it presents just one opinion about a controversial topic. When television news gives a one-sided version of the facts, it's impossible for a viewer to get a clear picture of what's going on, especially when most political subjects have so many differing opinions. Another, much less controversial meaning of the adjective one-sided is simply "having only one side." You might be pleased to realize that your math test paper is one-sided, with questions only on the front.
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.
An increased reliance on “premium formats” may seem like an obvious weapon in the increasingly one-sided war between at-home and theatrical viewing, but it is not the answer.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
And we like our stories simple and one-sided.
From Slate ● Jul. 10, 2026
And despite the one-sided scoreline, England have made significant progress during this tournament.
From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2026
Officials said excessive volatility and one-sided market moves wouldn’t be tolerated.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 8, 2026
Sometimes she would come into the kitchen quietly and hear Johnny holding long, one-sided conversations with Rabbit.
From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes
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.
