sidle
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to move sideways or obliquely.
-
to edge along furtively.
noun
verb
-
to move in a furtive or stealthy manner; edge along
-
to move along sideways
noun
Other Word Forms
- sidler noun
- sidlingly adverb
- unsidling adjective
Etymology
Origin of sidle
First recorded in 1690–1700; back formation from sideling (earlier spelling sidling misconstrued as present participle of a verb ending in -le )
Explanation
To sidle is to walk, but in a way that's casual, quiet, and a little sneaky. If you want to surprise someone, sidle up to them and say, "Boo!" There’s a TV show where a character’s coworker has a habit of walking so softly that he constantly startles her — she never notices him coming. So of course she buys wrestling shoes and tries to sidle back! Sidling is a type of walking that is super quiet. If you want to leave a party without people noticing, sidle out the door. Sidling is a good way to slip away.
Vocabulary lists containing sidle
"Everyday Use" by Alice Walker
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"To Build a Fire," Vocabulary from the short story
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The Grapes of Wrath
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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.
They’re more like trusty gags that sidle in wearing Groucho Marx glasses.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 31, 2025
There, instead of sitting across from Emily, Adam elected to sidle up next to her while they drank their Guinnesses.
From Washington Post • Oct. 27, 2022
You can sidle up at the bar with a wild boar burger or in the dining room, order venison “camouflaged” by root vegetables.
From New York Times • Jul. 19, 2022
There is no longer a need to sidle up to someone at a conference or over a coffee when you can use a fake profile online to lure them into a conversation.
From BBC • May 17, 2022
I set my pocketbook down, sidle her out of the way.
From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett
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.
