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 of sideways

• sidewise
• laterally
• obliquely

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

Now the museum has expanded sideways, growing a separate but connected neighbor. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 19 Mar. 2026

That enabled him to look over the shoulder of Chapek and render judgment when decisions went sideways. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026

Heat now travels sideways along high-conductivity paths rather than escaping vertically. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 Mar. 2026

Absolutely not, which is to say that Last One Laughing, and all of the ways it’s bound to go sideways, is appointment viewing. —Claire McNear, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1572, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Phrases Containing sideways

• knock (someone) sideways

Rhymes for sideways

• aldolase
• alleyways
• amylase
• anaphase
• anhydrase
• anyways
• arginase
• cabarets
• carriageways
• castaways
• catalase
• cellulase

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