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
Derived 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.
Love is overwhelming but can still be one-sided, an imbalance that love’s all-consuming nature disguises.
From Salon • Jun. 4, 2026
The paradox arises only if we insist on describing horizons using a single, one-sided arrow of time extrapolated to infinity — an assumption quantum mechanics itself does not require.
From Science Daily • May 22, 2026
Mr. Dolin concedes that his source material for the tale is necessarily one-sided; the Palauans did not leave written records of their encounters with the Mentor’s crew.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026
Inter Milan conceded just once in their eight league-phase matches, but shipped five in one of the most one-sided European finals.
From BBC • May 6, 2026
In spite of their ready answers, the sport had been one-sided, as Kit could see by the daubs of mud that stained the rough boards of the stocks.
From "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare
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.
