sideway: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Literary, Technical
Quick answer
What does “sideway” mean?
A direction or position to the side.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A direction or position to the side; a lateral movement or orientation.
Often used to describe something that is not straightforward, direct, or conventional; can imply an indirect approach, a glance, or a position away from the main path or focus.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The singular 'sideway' is rare in both varieties, with 'sideways' being the dominant form for adverb/adjective.
Connotations
Neutral in both; slightly more formal or literary when used in the singular.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency for the singular noun 'sideway' in both corpora. The adverbial/adjectival form 'sideways' is common.
Grammar
How to Use “sideway” in a Sentence
[verb] + sideway + [noun] (e.g., cast a sideway glance)[preposition] + sideway (e.g., from a sideway)[adjective] + sideway (e.g., a quick sideway)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sideway” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She gave him a curious sideway look.
American English
- The report included a sideway comparison of the data.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in metaphors for indirect strategies: 'The company took a sideway approach to the market.'
Academic
Used in physics or engineering to describe lateral forces or components.
Everyday
Very rare in everyday speech; 'sideways' is used almost exclusively.
Technical
Used in mechanics, physics, or navigation to specify a direction perpendicular to the primary axis.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sideway”
- Using 'sideway' as an adverb (incorrect: *'He looked sideway'). Correct: 'He looked sideways.'
- Overusing the singular form instead of the standard plural form 'sideways'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is a rare singular noun. The far more common and standard form for both adjective and adverb is 'sideways'.
No, not interchangeably. 'Sideways' is the correct form for describing lateral movement or position (e.g., 'move sideways'). 'Sideway' is occasionally used as a noun.
The common phrase is 'sideways glance', not 'sideway glance', though the latter is technically possible in literary contexts.
The lexicalized plural form 'sideways' (originally a genitive) has completely taken over the adverbial and adjectival functions, making the singular noun obsolete in most contexts.
A direction or position to the side.
Sideway is usually formal, literary, technical in register.
Sideway: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsaɪdweɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsaɪdweɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “look at something sideway (rare variant of 'sideways')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SIDE road (WAY) – it's not the main path, it goes to the side.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIRECT IS STRAIGHT; INDIRECT IS SIDEWAY.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the MOST common modern usage?