sideways

Also side·wise

[sahyd-weyz]

adverb

1. with a side foremost.

2. facing to the side.

3. toward or from one side.

4. with a deceitful, scornful, disparaging, or amorous glance.

adjective

1. moving, facing, or directed toward one side.

2. indirect or evasive.

sideways

/ ˈsaɪdˌweɪz /

adverb

1. moving, facing, or inclining towards one side

2. from one side; obliquely

3. with one side forward

adjective

1. moving or directed to or from one side

2. towards or from one side

Word History and Origins

Origin of sideways¹

First recorded in 1570–80; side ¹ + -ways

Idioms and Phrases

see knock for a loop (sideways); look sideways at.

Example Sentences

He tipped the ladder sideways and edged it through the door.

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The boys looked down at the floor, up at the ceiling, and sideways at each other, everywhere but at their governess.

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With a few clucks and some skillful handling of the reins, he urged the horse to pull their carriage sideways, blocking the way.

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He cast a sideways look at Cassiopeia, then clasped his hands in front of him and rolled his eyes heavenward.

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The plan then called for a mammoth floating crane, as tall as one of England’s largest cathedrals, to hook into the framework and raise it upward and sideways to a position directly above the cradle.

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