onside

American  

[on-sahyd, awn-] / ˈɒnˈsaɪd, ˈɔn- /

adjective

Sports.

1. not offside; being within the prescribed line or area at the beginning of or during play or a play.

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onside British  

/ ˌɒnˈsaɪd /

adjective

1. sport (of a player) in a legal position, as when behind the ball or with a required number of opponents between oneself and the opposing team's goal line

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adjective

1. taking one's part or side; working towards the same goal (esp in the phrase get someone onside ) Compare offside

Etymology

Origin of onside

First recorded in 1840–50; on + side ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

onside

His effort was initially disallowed on the field for offside but, following VAR intervention, the goal was awarded as the Norwegian was ruled to have been played onside by Patrick Dorgu's boot.

From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026

The replays showed that Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy had played the German winger onside by the smallest of margins.

From BBC ● May 2, 2026

Raul Garcia cut inside the sliding Raul Asencio brilliantly and fired across Courtois and in at the far post, with the goal initially ruled out but then proven to be onside with a VAR review.

From Barron's ● Feb. 21, 2026

On foreign policy, too, they have both sought to keep US President Donald Trump onside.

From Barron's ● Feb. 11, 2026

Luma had to teach her team the basics of organized play—how to execute throw-ins, how to stay onside.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John