Definition

1. Noun:

   • One of the surfaces forming the outside of an object: A "side" is one of the flat or curved outer boundaries of a three-dimensional object.
   • Either of the two halves of something: A "side" can refer to the left or right part of an area, body, or space, divided by an imaginary central line.
   • A position to the left or right of a central point: A "side" is a place or area located away from the center.
   • An aspect or feature of something: A "side" is one particular way of considering an issue, situation, or a person's character.
   • A group or team in a competition, dispute, or conflict: A "side" is one of two or more opposing parties.
   • A line of descent or family connection: A "side" refers to the relatives connected through one parent.
   • (Geometry) A line segment forming part of the boundary of a plane figure: In geometry, a "side" is one of the straight lines that make up a polygon.
   • (Sports) The spin given to a ball: In sports like billiards or tennis, "side" refers to the spin imparted to a ball.
   • (Geology) An elevated sloping surface: A "side" can be the sloping surface of a hill or mountain.
   • (Culinary) A lengthwise half of an animal's carcass: A "side" is a cut of meat, like a side of beef or pork.

2. Adjective:

   • Located at or on the side: "Side" describes something positioned at the edge or lateral part of something else, not central or main.
   • Secondary or incidental: "Side" can describe something that is less important than the main thing.

3. Verb:

   • To support or ally with one person or group against another: To "side" means to take a position in favor of one party in a dispute or argument.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • A cube has six sides.
  • He had a pain in his side.
  • Please stand to one side.
  • We need to consider the financial side of the proposal.
  • Which side are you on in this debate?
  • She gets her artistic talent from her mother's side of the family.
  • A triangle has three sides.
  • He put a lot of side on the cue ball.
  • They built a cabin on the side of the mountain.
  • We ordered a side of bacon.

• Adjective:

  • Please use the side entrance.
  • The main issue is clear, but there are several side effects to consider.

• Verb:

  • My sister always sides with our parents.
  • The senator refused to side with either political party on the issue.

Advanced Usage

• "To be on the safe side": To take extra precautions to avoid risk.

  • Let's leave early, just to be on the safe side.

• "To let the side down": To disappoint or fail one's group, team, or family.

  • By arriving late, he felt he had let the side down.

• "A side of someone": An aspect of a person's character that is not always visible.

  • His kindness showed a side of him I had never seen before.

Variants and Related Words

• Sideways (adverb/adjective): Moving or directed toward one side.
  • He glanced sideways at her.
• Siding (noun): Material used to cover the outside walls of a building.
  • They installed new vinyl siding on the house.
• Aside (adverb): To or on one side; out of the way.
  • She took me aside to tell me the news.

Synonyms

• Noun: Face, surface, edge, flank, aspect, facet, faction, team, party.
• Verb: Support, back, ally, favor.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Side with: To support one person or group in a disagreement.
  • In the argument, I had to side with my friend.
• Side against: To oppose or be against a person or group in a disagreement.
  • They all sided against the proposed changes.

Related Idioms

• "On the side":
  • As a secondary job or activity.

    • He works as a consultant on the side.
  • Served separately from the main dish.

    • I'll have fries on the side.
• "Take sides": To support one person or group against another.
  • A good mediator does not take sides.
• "The other side of the coin": A different or opposite aspect of a situation.
  • Fame brings money, but the other side of the coin is a loss of privacy.
• "Wrong side of the tracks": A poor or less respectable part of a town.
  • They said he was from the wrong side of the tracks.

Verb

1. take sides for or against
   • Who are you widing with?
   • Im siding against the current candidate

Adjective

1. located on a side
   • side fences
   • the side porch

Noun

1. (sports) the spin given to a ball by striking it on one side or releasing it with a sharp twist
2. an elevated geological formation
   • he climbed the steep slope
   • the house was built on the side of a mountain
3. an opinion that is held in opposition to another in an argument or dispute
   • there are two sides to every question
4. a lengthwise dressed half of an animal's carcass used for food
5. a family line of descent
   • he gets his brains from his father's side
6. a line segment forming part of the perimeter of a plane figure
   • the hypotenuse of a right triangle is always the longest side
7. an aspect of something (as contrasted with some other implied aspect)
   • he was on the heavy side
   • he is on the purchasing side of the business
   • it brought out his better side
8. an extended outer surface of an object
   • he turned the box over to examine the bottom side
   • they painted all four sides of the house
9. a surface forming part of the outside of an object
   • he examined all sides of the crystal
   • dew dripped from the face of the leaf
10. either the left or right half of a body
    • he had a pain in his side
11. one of two or more contesting groups
    • the Confederate side was prepared to attack
12. a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
    • they always sat on the right side of the church
    • he never left my side