sidelong

1 of 2

adverb

side·​long ˈsīd-ˌlȯŋ 

1

: sideways, obliquely

2

archaic : on the side

sidelong

2 of 2

adjective

1

: lying or inclining to one side : slanting

2

a

: directed to one side

sidelong looks

b

: indirect rather than straightforward

Examples of sidelong in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

And there are some outstanding ones, like the high-polish oil sketch of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart that became the source of many other images, including the sour, sidelong-glancing Washington on the $1 bill. — Holland Cotter, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2016

Adjective

Nevertheless, James Gray pulls us into rooting for this sidelong American dream. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 May 2026

But the main adaptive value, or function, of a sidelong gait is that a crab can move with nearly equal speed to either the left or the right. — Manjishtha Bhattacharyya, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

alteration of sideling entry 1

First Known Use

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sidelong

1 of 2 adverb

side·​long ˈsīd-ˌlōŋ 

: out of the corner of one's eye

glanced sidelong at the food on the table

sidelong

2 of 2 adjective

ˌsīd-ˌlȯŋ

1

: made to one side or out of the corner of one's eye

a sidelong glance

2

: indirect sense 2