sideways

adverb or adjective

side·​ways ˈsīd-ˌwāz 

1

: from one side

2

: with one side forward

turn sideways

3

a

: in a lateral direction or downward to one side

hopped sideways

slump sideways

b

: askance

look sideways at someone

Synonyms

• broadside
• crabwise
• edgeways [chiefly British]
• edgewise
• sidewise

Examples of sideways in a Sentence

I had to walk sideways to get between the two towering piles of boxes

she glanced at us sideways when she heard us claim we weren't there that night

Recent Examples on the Web

The development was a stunning turn for a Georgetown and Yale Law graduate who took his life sideways while battling addictions. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 11 June 2024

Odysseus landed sideways on the south pole of the moon. —Devika Rao, theweek, 6 Mar. 2024

Within minutes the 950-foot vessel tipped sideways, tossing passengers into the sea. —Barbie Latza Nadeau, Scientific American, 1 Aug. 2013

The snow is blowing sideways on a December night when my phone lights up with a message from Adam’s sister. —Emily Zebel, Longreads, 23 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1572, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Phrases Containing sideways

• knock (someone) sideways

Kids Definition

sideways

adverb or adjective

side·​ways ˈsīd-ˌwāz 

1

: from one side

viewed the stage sideways

2

: with one side forward

turn sideways

3

: to one side

fell sideways