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
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.
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
It was a game that was as attractive and inviting as it was one-sided, one that might turn the most skeptical viewer into a fan.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2026
Officials said excessive volatility and one-sided market moves wouldn’t be tolerated.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 8, 2026
Given the sharp sectional divisions in the debate, the vote to refer the petitions to a committee was surprisingly one-sided, 43 to 11; seven of the negative votes came from South Carolina and Georgia.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
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.
