aside

1 of 3

adverb

ə-ˈsīd 

1

: to or toward the side

stepped aside

2

: away from others or into privacy

pulled him aside

3

: out of the way especially for future use : away

putting aside savings

4

: away from one's thought or consideration

All kidding aside, we really need to get busy.

aside

2 of 3

noun

1

: an utterance not meant to be heard by someone

especially : an actor's speech heard by the audience but supposedly not by other characters

2

: a comment or discussion that does not relate directly to the main subject being discussed : digression

He frequently interrupted his narrative with amusing asides.

aside

3 of 3

preposition

obsolete

: beyond, past

Synonyms

Noun

• tangent

Examples of aside in a Sentence

Adverb

He stepped aside and let her pass.

He threw his coat aside.

She laid the book aside.

He elbowed people aside as he moved through the crowd.

He took her aside to speak to her privately.

Someone grabbed him and pulled him aside.

Noun

She made a joke about the food in a muttered aside to her husband.

The book includes several lengthy asides about the personal lives of scientists involved in the project.

In his speech he mentioned her contributions almost as an aside, despite the fact that she was the one who came up with the idea originally.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Though the state's 2024-25 biennial budget set aside about $4 billion in additional school funding, lawmakers were left needing to pass legislation to direct how that money should be spent but never did amid the political battles over school vouchers. —Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025

Beat in 1 teaspoon of the vanilla just until combined, about 30 seconds; set aside. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 29 July 2025

Noun

As an aside, Simon’s father, Bob, was a CBS foreign correspondent and 60 Minutes regular who accreted 27 Emmys, four Peabody awards and a DuPont over 47 years. —David Bloom, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025

These can be revealing confessions or informative asides or both. —Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 26 June 2025

Preposition

Phelan batted aside several assertions, saying the measure targets candidates and campaign operatives who would deceive voters with fake images that often look real. —John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025

Watkins could bring best out of United’s attackers Analysis by Manchester United writer Carl Anka Leaving aside Watkins’ age, a move for him would be a continuation of INEOS’ (apparent) transfer strategy this summer. —Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 29 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

see side entry 1

Noun

see side entry 1

Preposition

see side entry 1

First Known Use

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

1592, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing aside

• aside from
• brush aside
• cast aside
• joking aside
• lay aside
• pull aside
• push aside
• put aside
• set aside
• stand aside
• step aside
• sweep aside
• take (someone) aside
• wave aside

Rhymes for aside

• abide
• allied
• applied
• astride
• azide
• backside
• bankside
• bastide
• bayside
• bedside
• belied
• beside

Kids Definition

aside

1 of 2 adverb

ə-ˈsīd 

1

: to or toward the side

stepped aside

2

: out of the way especially for future use : away

put money aside for school

3

: away from one's thought or consideration

all kidding aside

aside

2 of 2 noun

: words meant not to be heard by someone

especially : an actor's words supposedly not heard by others on the stage