Definition

1. Adverb:
   • From the side; obliquely: Moving, positioned, or directed from or toward the side, rather than from the front or back.
   • With one side forward or to the front: Having the side, rather than the front or back, facing a given direction.
   • Toward one side: In a direction to the left or right of the current position or orientation.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • The strong wind blew the tree sidewise. (The wind caused the tree to lean to one side.)
  • She glanced sidewise at her friend to see his reaction. (She looked obliquely, from the corner of her eye.)
  • The car skidded sidewise on the icy road. (The car slid laterally into the ditch.)

Advanced Usage

• "to move sidewise": to move with a lateral or crab-like motion.
  • The crab scuttled sidewise across the sand.
• "to look sidewise": to look indirectly or suspiciously at someone or something.
  • He looked sidewise at the proposal, doubting its feasibility.

Variants and Related Words

• Sideways (adverb): This is the more common variant and is interchangeable with "sidewise" in most contexts.
  • He slipped and fell sideways.
• Sideward (adverb, less common): Toward the side.
• Lateral (adjective): Of, at, toward, or from the side or sides.

Synonyms

• Laterally: Toward or from the side.
• Obliquely: Not in a direct way; at an angle.
• Edgeways/Edgewise: With the edge forward or uppermost.

Antonyms

• Frontwise/Forward: Toward the front.
• Head-on: With the front parts meeting directly.
• Straight: In a direct line or manner.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To knock someone sideways (idiom, usually uses "sideways"): To astonish or shock someone greatly.
  • The news of his resignation knocked me sideways.
• To get a word in edgewise (idiom, uses "edgewise"): To manage to say something when someone else is talking incessantly.
  • She talked so much I couldn't get a word in edgewise.

Adverb

1. from the side; obliquely
   • a picture lit sideways
   • scenes viewed sidewise
2. with one side forward or to the front
   • turned sideways to show the profile
   • crabs seeming to walk sidewise
3. toward one side
   • the car slipped sideways into the ditch
   • leaning sideways
   • a figure moving sidewise in the shadows