one-sided
Americanadjective
-
considering but one side of a matter or question; partial or unfair.
a one-sided judgment.
-
with one party, contestant, side, etc., vastly superior; unbalanced; unequal.
a one-sided fight.
-
existing or occurring on one side only.
-
having but one side, or but one developed or finished side.
-
having one side larger or more developed than the other.
-
Law. involving the action of one person only.
-
having the parts all on one side, as an inflorescence.
adjective
-
considering or favouring only one side of a matter, problem, etc
-
having all the advantage on one side
-
larger or more developed on one side
-
having, existing on, or occurring on one side only
-
another term for unilateral
-
denoting a surface on which any two points can be joined without crossing an edge See Möbius strip
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
![]()
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.