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side

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noun British English pronunciation: side /saɪd/ 
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singularside
pluralsides
 
  1. 1
    [countable] a particular area of something such as a building, street, or town
    side of:

    The railway ran along the north side of the valley.

    The bride’s guests should sit on the left side of the church.

    the far side:

    I parked on the far side of the yard.

    right-hand/left-hand side:

    Americans drive on the right-hand side of the road.

    north/south side:

    They live on the north side of town.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  sideThesaurus entry for this meaning of side
    1. a.
      one of the areas that are separated from each other by something such as a border or a river

      villages on the Thai side of the border

      The boat had drifted to the other side of the river.

      The policy has been condemned by politicians on both sides of the Atlantic.

      Groceries are cheaper on the American side so Canadians often shop there.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  sideThesaurus entry for this meaning of side
  2. 2
    [countable] an outside surface of an object or shape that is not its front, back, bottom, or top

    The ship was found lying on its side.

    side of:

    The entrance is on the side of the building.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  sideThesaurus entry for this meaning of side
    1. a.
      an inside surface of a container or room that is not the top or bottom
      side of:

      Lift the cake gently away from the sides of the dish.

      There were tables all along the sides of the hall.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  sideThesaurus entry for this meaning of side
    2. b.
      either of the flat surfaces of something thin such as a piece of paper or a coin

      Use the lined side of the paper.

      I turned the coin over and looked at the other side.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  sideThesaurus entry for this meaning of side
    3. c.
      the part of a hill that slopes and is between the top and the bottom
      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  sideThesaurus entry for this meaning of side
    4. d.
      a flat surface of a solid object such as a cube or pyramid

      A cube has six sides.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  sideThesaurus entry for this meaning of side
    5. e.
      any of the edges of a flat shape

      A square has four sides.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  sideThesaurus entry for this meaning of side
    6. f.
      the edge of a boat

      The sailors just throw their rubbish over the side.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  sideThesaurus entry for this meaning of side
    7. g.
      the left or right part of something
      side of:

      The left side of your jacket’s all dirty.

      One side of their van was crushed.

      right-hand/left-hand side:

      Put a margin down the right-hand side of the page.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  sideThesaurus entry for this meaning of side
    8. h.
      the left or right area of your body from your head to your feet

      Roll onto your side.

      by someone’s side:

      I stood nervously by his side as they approached.

      to someone’s side:

      Her little boy ran to her side and took her hand.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  sideThesaurus entry for this meaning of side
    9. i.
      the general area of your body from your shoulder down to your waist
      by someone’s sides:

      His arms hung limply by his sides.

      right/left side:

      I had a sharp pain in my right side.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  sideThesaurus entry for this meaning of side
    10. j.
      someone’s good or best side is the side of their face that they think looks more attractive
      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  sideThesaurus entry for this meaning of side
    11. k.
      one half of the body of a cow, pig, or other large animal, used as food
      side of:

      a side of beef

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  sideThesaurus entry for this meaning of side
  3. 3
    [countable] one aspect of a situation, problem, or subject

    Please look at all sides of the question before you decide.

    side of:

    I still haven’t heard her side of the story.

    Mark hasn’t kept his side of the bargain.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  sideThesaurus entry for this meaning of side
    1. a.
      a part of a person’s personality

      That is a side of Amy that you rarely see.

      The president displayed his lighter side before the press conference began.

      She told me I need to get in touch with my feminine side.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  sideThesaurus entry for this meaning of side
    2. b.
      the funny, serious etc side of something is the aspect of it that has that quality

      His jokes are often about the darker side of life.

      Fortunately, my boss saw the funny side of the situation.

      on the plus/minus side (=considering the positive/negative aspects):

      It’s not a perfect setup but, on the plus side, I can work at home.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  sideThesaurus entry for this meaning of side
      See also  bright, safe
  4. 4
    [countable] one of two or more groups of people opposing each other

    The agreement has been signed by both sides.

    Franco didn’t want to back the wrong side in a European war.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  sideThesaurus entry for this meaning of side
    1. a.
      a sports team

      Our side lost.

      He’s been chosen for the England youth side.

      losing/winning side:

      The winning side will get a place in the finals.

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  5. 5
    [countable] if you are on someone’s side, you support them in an argument or a fight
    on someone’s side:

    Don’t get annoyed with me – I’m on your side!

    take someone’s side (=to support one person rather than another one):

    Mary always takes your side.

    take sides (=to show support for one person and not others):

    I’m not taking sides in this argument.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  sideThesaurus entry for this meaning of side
  6. 6
    [countable] a part of your family, either your father’s set of relatives or your mother’s

    Which side of the family is his uncle from?

    on someone’s mother’s/father’s side:

    Rose is my cousin on my mother’s side.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  sideThesaurus entry for this meaning of side
  7. 7
    [countable] [usually singular] British informal a television channel

    Which side is the film on?

    Shall we turn over and see what’s on the other side?

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  sideThesaurus entry for this meaning of side
  8. 8
    [countable] American mainly spoken a side dish
    side of:

    I’d like a side of French fries with that.

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phrases

This is the British English definition of side. View American English definition of side.

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