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

So, what was once a pretty harsh ride that tended to skip sideways in bumpy corners, bludgeon yours and your passenger’s spine and kidneys, and remind you what terror and despair really are, is now gone. — New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026

Leaders who fail to get the small things right eventually discover that the big things have a way of going sideways. — Mark Nevins, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Some of Conrad’s friends had their lives go a bit sideways with dating apps. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026

The suit adds that the ground also tilted sideways at 14%, which is seven times steeper than the 2% limit. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026

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