Sideways
/ˈsaɪdweɪz/
Definitions
2 meaningsIn a direction or position to the side; laterally.
/ˈsaɪdweɪz/
The dog tilted its head sideways.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're walking down the street and you turn your head to look at something on the side. That's looking sideways! It's moving or looking to the side.
👶 For kids: Going to the side, like when you walk on a slide and go sideways!
More Examples
He looked sideways at the suspicious package.
The wind blew the tree sideways.
How It's Used
"She glanced sideways to see who was talking."
"The car swerved sideways to avoid the obstacle."
Directed or moving to the side.
/ˈsaɪdweɪz/
She gave him a sideways look.
💡 Simply: If something is sideways, it's going or facing to the side. It's not straight ahead.
👶 For kids: Something that's going to the side, like when you lean your body sideways!
More Examples
The sideways rain soaked through their clothes.
He took a sideways route to avoid the traffic.
How It's Used
"She had a sideways glance at the painting."
"His sideways approach to the problem was unconventional."
Idioms & expressions
look sideways at someone
To regard someone with suspicion or disapproval.
"The teacher looked sideways at the student who was disrupting the class."
From 'side' + 'ways'. The word 'ways' comes from the Old English 'weg', meaning 'way' or 'path', indicating a direction. 'Sideways' thus indicates a direction or movement to the side.
Used since Middle English, initially as 'sideway' before taking its current form. Its usage has remained consistent in indicating lateral direction.
Memory tip
Imagine a person looking sideways at a secret – they are looking to the side!
Word Origin
"side (from Old English 'sīde') + way (from Old English 'weg')"