sidle

[sahyd-l]

verb (used without object)

sidled, sidling 

1. to move sideways or obliquely.

2. to edge along furtively.

noun

1. a sidling movement.

sidle

/ ˈsaɪdəl /

verb

1. to move in a furtive or stealthy manner; edge along

2. to move along sideways

noun

1. a sideways movement

Other Word Forms

• sidlingly adverb
• unsidling adjective
• sidler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sidle¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; back formation from sideling (earlier spelling sidling misconstrued as present participle of a verb ending in -le )

Word History and Origins

Origin of sidle¹

C17: back formation from obsolete sideling sideways

Example Sentences

Kingsley went back inside and sidled up to the piano where Mercury was practising - it was a new song with the working title Freddie's Thing.

From BBC

“Lurker” has a casual malevolence, Russell sidling up to his targets before he attacks.

From Los Angeles Times

They’re more like trusty gags that sidle in wearing Groucho Marx glasses.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump has already sidled around that particular norm, deploying the troops in an order that made no mention of the act.

From Salon

“This is how politics used to be,” Democrat Harvey Englander said after sidling up to Republican Joel Fox.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• saunter