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

• broadside
• crabwise
• edgeways [chiefly British]
• edgewise
• sidewise

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

And sometimes, for whatever reason, things can go sideways. —Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 5 Apr. 2025

The benefit of signing these extensions for Merrill and Campbell is insurance against their careers going sideways. —Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

In his experience, when people get overly formal, things are about to go sideways. —Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2025

If an operation goes sideways, what record will exist of the high-level planning for Congress and internal watchdogs to probe? —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1572, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Phrases Containing sideways

• knock (someone) sideways

Rhymes for sideways

• aldolase
• alleyways
• amylase
• anaphase
• anhydrase
• anyways
• arginase
• cabarets
• carriageways
• castaways
• catalase
• cellulase

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