sidle

[ sahyd-l ]
See synonyms for: sidlesidled on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object),si·dled, si·dling.
  1. to move sideways or obliquely.

  2. to edge along furtively.

noun
  1. a sidling movement.

Origin of sidle

1
First recorded in 1690–1700; back formation from sideling (earlier spelling sidling misconstrued as present participle of a verb ending in -le)

Other words from sidle

  • si·dling·ly, adverb
  • un·si·dling, adjective

Words Nearby sidle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sidle in a sentence

  • His interlocutor began, with a shake of the eyeglass, to shift and sidle again, as if distinctly excited by the subject.

    The Awkward Age | Henry James
  • "You'll admit it is a tradition," said Saulisbury, glad of a chance to sidle away.

    Wayside Courtships | Hamlin Garland
  • Night after night she would sidle up to his knee, and sue for his notice; and night after night she would retire discomfited.

    The Backwoodsmen | Charles G. D. Roberts
  • He could whirl her, dip her, sidle her, lead or pursue her; and she obeyed his will as instantly as if he were her owner.

    What Will People Say? | Rupert Hughes
  • Then she tried to sidle through the narrow opening, got stuck, and was urged on by Madge pushing her.

British Dictionary definitions for sidle

sidle

/ (ˈsaɪdəl) /


verb(intr)
  1. to move in a furtive or stealthy manner; edge along

  2. to move along sideways

noun
  1. a sideways movement

Origin of sidle

1
C17: back formation from obsolete sideling sideways

Derived forms of sidle

  • sidler, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012