one-sided

American  

[wuhn-sahy-did] / ˈwʌnˈsaɪ dɪd /

adjective

1. considering but one side of a matter or question; partial or unfair.

   a one-sided judgment.

2. with one party, contestant, side, etc., vastly superior; unbalanced; unequal.

   a one-sided fight.

3. existing or occurring on one side only.

4. having but one side, or but one developed or finished side.

5. having one side larger or more developed than the other.

6. Law. involving the action of one person only.

7. having the parts all on one side, as an inflorescence.

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one-sided British  

adjective

1. considering or favouring only one side of a matter, problem, etc

2. having all the advantage on one side

3. larger or more developed on one side

4. having, existing on, or occurring on one side only

5. another term for unilateral

6. denoting a surface on which any two points can be joined without crossing an edge See Möbius strip

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Other Word Forms

• one-sidedly adverb
• one-sidedness noun

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

This one-sided empathy is not a spontaneous response to compelling facts, however.

From Slate • Apr. 3, 2026

It was the Kings’ most one-sided loss in more than a month, not exactly the way it wanted to start its final sprint to the postseason.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

The opprobrium that ensued in the course of a shamelessly one-sided trial shredded their reputations, cost them their jobs and led to an incurable banishment from public life.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

"Secondly, untrue facts are being disseminated on the basis of a one-sided account," it continued.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

She said that I was really sweet and understanding, but that our relationship was too one-sided.

From "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky

Related Words

• discriminatory
• partisan
• unequal
• unfair
• unjust