side dish: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to informal in culinary contexts; metaphorical use is informal.
Quick answer
What does “side dish” mean?
A serving of food, such as a vegetable, salad, or bread, that accompanies the main course of a meal.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A serving of food, such as a vegetable, salad, or bread, that accompanies the main course of a meal.
Metaphorically, something that serves as a secondary or supporting element to a main event, activity, or person.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The phrase is equally common. The metaphorical use may be slightly more prevalent in US media.
Connotations
Neutral in both. In metaphorical use, can carry a slight negative connotation of being subsidiary or less important.
Frequency
Very high frequency in culinary contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “side dish” in a Sentence
[Main dish] + with + [side dish][Side dish] + to + [main dish][Side dish] + for + [main dish/meal]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “side dish” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- This risotto can be side-dished with a green salad.
- They side-dished the roast with Yorkshire puddings.
American English
- The steak was side-dished with fries and coleslaw.
- We need to side-dish the main with something seasonal.
adverb
British English
- This is served side-dish style.
- The vegetables came arranged side-dish.
American English
- The beans are offered side-dish.
- It's presented side-dish on the plate.
adjective
British English
- The side-dish options were limited.
- A side-dish salad is included.
American English
- Check the side-dish menu for additions.
- She brought a side-dish casserole to the potluck.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not typical. Possible metaphorical use: 'The marketing campaign was just a side dish to the main product launch.'
Academic
Rare, except in culinary studies.
Everyday
Very common in restaurants, home cooking, and food discussions.
Technical
Used in professional cooking (culinary arts, menu planning).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “side dish”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “side dish”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “side dish”
- Using uncountable form (*'I would like some side dish'). It is typically countable: 'a side dish', 'two side dishes'. Confusing with 'side plate' (a plate for bread).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. An appetizer/starter is eaten before the main course. A side dish is eaten alongside the main course.
No, it is specific to food. A drink accompanying a meal is a 'beverage' or 'drink'.
It is understood but not extremely common. It is an informal figurative extension.
They are often interchangeable in restaurants. 'Side order' emphasizes the act of ordering it separately, while 'side dish' describes the food itself.
A serving of food, such as a vegetable, salad, or bread, that accompanies the main course of a meal.
Side dish is usually neutral to informal in culinary contexts; metaphorical use is informal. in register.
Side dish: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsaɪd ˌdɪʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsaɪd ˌdɪʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “play second fiddle (metaphorical parallel)”
- “be a side dish to someone/something”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a plate: the main dish is in the centre, and the SIDE DISH is on the SIDE.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPORTANCE IS CENTRALITY / UNIMPORTANCE IS PERIPHERALITY (e.g., 'He treated her feelings as a mere side dish').
Practice
Quiz
In a metaphorical sense, calling something 'a side dish' implies it is: