side
A1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
One of the two outer surfaces of an object, or one of the two opposing positions, groups, or aspects of something.
An aspect or part of something considered in contrast with another; a faction or team; the space immediately adjacent to someone or something; a subsidiary part or role; a dish served alongside the main food.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Core spatial meaning (side of a box) is primary and concrete. Many extensions are metaphorical, e.g., 'side of an argument', 'side dish', or 'side effect'. The word is highly productive in compounds (e.g., sideshow, sidecar).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Side order' (AmE) vs. 'side dish' (both, but BrE may prefer 'side'). In football, 'on the side' (position) is common in both, but BrE uses 'side' more frequently for 'team' (e.g., 'He plays for the first side').
Connotations
In legal contexts, 'side' in 'side bar' (AmE) refers to a judge's conference with attorneys. In BrE, 'side' can colloquially mean 'arrogant' (e.g., 'Don't get side with me').
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties. The metaphorical uses are equally common.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
side with [someone]side against [someone]on the side of [something]from side to sideat/by [someone's] sideVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “let the side down”
- “on the side”
- “side with the angels”
- “err on the side of caution”
- “to be on the safe side”
- “the other side of the coin”
- “split one's sides”
- “get on the wrong side of someone”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to subsidiary activities ('a side business'), additional income ('a job on the side'), or parties in a deal ('both sides agreed').
Academic
Used to discuss different aspects of an argument ('on one side of the debate'), or as a noun in geometry ('a triangle has three sides').
Everyday
Most common for physical position ('the left side'), in sports ('which side are you on?'), and food ('a side of fries').
Technical
In physics/engineering: 'side load', 'side impact'. In medicine: 'side effect'. In computing: 'client-side', 'server-side'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He always sides with the management in disputes.
- The council sided against the development plans.
American English
- She sided with her brother during the argument.
- The senator refused to side with either party on the vote.
adverb
British English
- He carried the box side-on.
- The car was parked side-on to the kerb.
American English
- She laid the boards side-by-side.
- He stood side-on to the target.
adjective
British English
- We entered through a side door.
- It was only a side issue, not the main point.
American English
- He has a side job as a driver.
- The report listed several side effects.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please sit by my side.
- Write your name on the right side of the paper.
- I like green beans as a side dish.
- The house has a garden on the side.
- There are two sides to every story.
- Which side of the bed do you prefer?
- The government must consider all sides of the argument.
- He started a small business on the side.
- The medication has some unpleasant side effects.
- She argued her side of the case with formidable skill.
- The treaty was favourable to both sides involved in the conflict.
- His laconic wit was a side of his personality few had seen before.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A wide smile (like the letter 'I') stretches from SIDE to SIDE.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARGUMENT IS WAR (taking sides), EMOTIONAL STATES ARE CONTAINERS (bursting your sides laughing), SUPPORT IS PHYSICAL PROXIMITY (being by someone's side).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'side' for 'country' (e.g., 'foreign side' is wrong; use 'country').
- Don't confuse 'side dish' (гарнир) with 'salad' (салат).
- The phrase 'from all sides' (со всех сторон) is a correct calque, but 'on every side' is more idiomatic.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I am in the side of the window.' Correct: 'I am at/by the side of the window.'
- Incorrect: 'He is from my side.' (to mean 'He is on my team.') Correct: 'He is on my side.'
- Incorrect preposition: 'side to side with someone.' Correct: 'side by side with someone.'
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'to err on the side of caution' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, its most common uses are often metaphorical, referring to teams in sports, perspectives in an argument, or subsidiary elements (like a side job).
'Beside' is a preposition meaning 'next to'. 'By the side of' is a longer, more descriptive phrase with the same core meaning, often emphasizing proximity or support (e.g., 'He stood by the side of his friend').
Yes, it means 'to support one person or group against another' (e.g., 'She sided with her colleague'). It is less frequent than the noun form.
It refers to a subsidiary dish ordered separately to accompany the main meal (e.g., 'I'll have a salad on the side'). It can also colloquially mean an extra-marital affair.
Collections
Part of a collection
Body and Health
A1 · 49 words · Parts of the body and basic health vocabulary.