sideways

adverb or adjective

side·​ways ˈsīd-ˌwāz How to pronounce sideways (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Grass moths that darted sideways through the air. Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025 As everyone always says, an overbought market can come back into line with a severe pullback or by simply chopping sideways for a bit. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025 The Vikings had rookie Tyler Batty lying sideways directly in front of Eagles center Cam Jurgens, with Jalen Redmond on one side over Batty and Levi Drake Rodriguez on the other side. Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025 The comet bits have also spread a fair distance from it sideways, which is why some of the particles now intersect the Earth even though the comet's orbit does not. Joe Rao, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sideways

Word History

First Known Use

1572, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sideways was in 1572

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sideways.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sideways. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

sideways

adverb or adjective
side·​ways ˈsīd-ˌwāz How to pronounce sideways (audio)
1
: from one side
viewed the stage sideways
2
: with one side forward
turn sideways
3
: to one side
fell sideways

More from Merriam-Webster on sideways

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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