side quest
noun
a quest or objective in a story or video game that is related to but not directly part of the main storyline or objective.
side quests
-
pluralof side quest.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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.
If you want to avoid traffic or you’re looking for some off-site adventures during Stagecoach, check out these 14 fun desert side quests.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2026
Third, cutting side quests is a bad idea.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 29, 2026
It also follows reports that OpenAI's applications chief, Fidji Simo, told staff this month that they could not be distracted by "side quests," outlining a push toward agentic AI capabilities.
From Barron's ● Mar. 24, 2026
Instead, it stems from one of Martin’s side quests during his brief stint as interim U.S. attorney: his harassment of Georgetown University Law Center.
From Slate ● Mar. 11, 2026
The branching narratives, full of side quests and incidental characters, offer plenty of material to draw from, but deciding what to bring to the screen is a mammoth task.
From BBC ● Dec. 17, 2025
