side
noun /saɪd/
/saɪd/
Idioms - [countable, usually singular] either of the two halves of a surface, an object or an area that is divided by an imaginary central line
- the right side of the brain
- satellite links to the other side of the world
- on the… side (of something) They drive on the left-hand side of the road in Japan.
- She was on the far side of the room.
- They crossed from one side of London to the other.
- Keep on your side of the bed!
- a factory on the west side of town
Extra Examples- A car was coming in their direction on the wrong side of the road.
- She got in the passenger side of the car.
- the left-hand side of the page
- the sunny, leeward side of the island
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- far
- opposite
- other
- …
- side of
- at one side
- at the side
- …
- sunny side up
- [countable, usually singular] a position or an area to the left or right of something
- He crossed the bridge to the other side of the river.
- The opposite side of the street was still in shadow.
- on a/the side (of something) There is a large window on either side of the front door.
- people on both sides of the Atlantic
- a town on this side of the border
- She saw James standing on the other side of the fence.
- She tilted her head to one side.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- far
- opposite
- other
- …
- side of
- at one side
- at the side
- …
- sunny side up
- [countable] one of the flat surfaces of something that is not the top or bottom, front or back
- A notice was stuck to the side of the filing cabinet.
- on the side (of something) Write your name on the side of the box.
- There's a scratch on the side of my car.
- Now lay the jar on its side.
- The ship was damaged on her starboard side.
- at the side (of something) The kitchen door is at the side of the house.
- a side door/window/panel
- a side wall/entrance
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- far
- opposite
- other
- …
- side of
- at one side
- at the side
- …
- sunny side up
- [countable] the vertical or sloping surface around something, but not the top or bottom of it
- A path went up the side of the hill.
- Brush the sides of the tin with butter.
- We could see sheep grazing on the side of the mountain.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- far
- opposite
- other
- …
- side of
- at one side
- at the side
- …
- sunny side up
- [countable] a part near the edge of something; an area just beyond the edge of something
- The stream flows into the south side of the lake.
- A path leads down one side of the garden.
- We planted tulips along the side of the lawn.
- on the side of something She sat on the side of the bed.
- The player received treatment on the side of the pitch.
- at the side of something A van was parked at the side of the road.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- far
- opposite
- other
- …
- side of
- at one side
- at the side
- …
- sunny side up
- [countable, usually singular] either the right or left part of a person’s body, from the armpit (= where the arm joins the body) to the hip (= where the leg joins the body)
- I've got a stitch in my side (= a sudden pain from running or laughing).
- She has a pain down her right side.
- on your side He was lying on his side.
Extra Examples- Emily turned onto her side and yawned.
- He is paralysed down his left side as a result of polio.
- I always sleep on my side because I'm not comfortable on my back.
- I laughed until my sides ached.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- left
- left-hand
- right
- …
- ache
- hurt
- down your side
- in the/your side
- on your side
- …
- at somebody’s side
- side by side
- a pain in your side
- …
- [countable] either of two surfaces of something flat and thin, such as paper or cloth
- The upper side of the leaf was a much darker green.
- The reverse side of the coin has a picture of a flower.
- on a/the side (of something) Write on one side of the paper only.
- Fry the steaks for two minutes on each side.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- flip
- reverse
- [countable] the amount of writing needed to fill one side of a sheet of paper
- He told us not to write more than three sides.
- [countable] any of the flat surfaces of a solid object
- A cube has six sides.
- Each side of the pyramid is greater than five acres in area.
enlarge image[countable] any of the lines that form a flat shape such as a square or triangle- a shape with five sides
- The farm buildings form three sides of a square.
- used in adjectives to state the number or type of sides
- a six-sided object
- a glass-sided container
- [singular] a place or position very near to somebody/something
- at/by somebody's/something's side Her husband stood at her side.
- She was glad to have him by her side.
- Keep close to my side.
- Her friends never seem to leave her side.
- He rushed to be at her side.
- [countable] one of the two or more people or groups taking part in an argument, war, etc.
- Both sides agreed to restore diplomatic relations.
- At some point during the war he seems to have changed sides.
- Each side is capable of destroying the other in a nuclear war.
- We have finally reached an agreement acceptable to all sides.
- The two sides announced a deal yesterday.
- on the… side to be on the winning/losing side
- There are faults on both sides.
- There is anger on both sides of the political divide.
Extra ExamplesTopics Opinion and argumentb2- Each side accused the other of firing first.
- He switched sides and joined the opposition.
- Let both sides argue their case.
- There were casualties on both sides of the conflict.
- War forces people to choose sides.
- The other side maintains that the project will not be affordable.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- opposing
- losing
- winning
- …
- choose
- switch
- accuse somebody
- argue something
- want something
- …
- on side
- on both sides
- [countable] one of the opinions, attitudes, or positions held by somebody in an argument, a business arrangement, etc.
- We heard both sides of the argument.
- I just want you to hear my side of the story first.
- One side of the debate is articulated best by France and Germany.
- The defendant has had no opportunity to put his side of the case.
- Will you keep your side of the bargain?
- on the… side On the plus side, the film is beautifully shot and edited.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- bright
- plus
- positive
- …
- have
- show
- hide
- …
- side to
- somebody’s side of the story
- see the funny side (of something)
- [countable] a particular aspect of something, especially a situation or a person’s character
- These poems reveal her gentle side.
- It's interesting to see another side of a story that is so well known.
- It's good you can see the funny side of the situation.
- I'll take care of that side of things.
- This is a side of Alan that I never knew existed.
- the darker side of human nature
- a behind-the-scenes documentary which promises to show a side of him rarely seen in public
Extra Examples- Bob is hoping to show off his lighter side.
- He's usually very kind and gentle, but he has his less positive side too.
- She likes men who do not hide their feminine side.
- The scandal has shown us the ugly side of politics.
- This murder highlights the seamy side of Hollywood.
- There are several sides to most problems.
- I had nothing to do with the financial side of the company.
- What can we do on the supply side to make this market more competitive?
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- bright
- plus
- positive
- …
- have
- show
- hide
- …
- side to
- somebody’s side of the story
- see the funny side (of something)
- [uncountable] (especially in negative sentences) (British English, informal) a feeling that you are better than other people
- There was no side to him at all.
- [countable] a sports team
- As captain, Pryce is confident of leading his side to victory.
- The French have a very strong side.
- We were on the winning/losing side.
- As the home side, they were expected to play an attacking game.
Extra ExamplesTopics Sports: ball and racket sportsa2- His side conceded two goals in their last match.
- Cain's goal put his side ahead.
- The away side were dismissed for 192.
- An inexperienced English side overcame a determined home team 39–24.
- He scored the winning goal in the famous 2016 cup-winning side.
- Wenger is planning to field an unchanged side for the second leg.
- Both sides struggled to find any sort of form.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- good
- strong
- full-strength
- …
- captain
- skipper
- lead
- …
- win (something)
- play
- battle
- …
- let the side down
- put your side ahead
- put your side in front
- …
- [countable] the part of your family that people belong to who are related either to your mother or to your father
- a cousin on my father’s side (= a child of my father’s brother or sister)
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- left
- left-hand
- right
- …
- ache
- hurt
- down your side
- in the/your side
- on your side
- …
- at somebody’s side
- side by side
- a pain in your side
- …
- [countable] (North American English, informal) a side dish (= a small amount of food, for example a salad, served with the main course of a meal)
- Your dinner comes with a choice of two sides.
- [countable] a side of beef/bacon, etc. one of the two halves of an animal that has been killed for meat
- [countable] (old-fashioned, British English, informal) a television channel
- What's on the other side?
left/right
not top or bottom
edge
of body
of something flat and thin
page
mathematics
-sided
near to somebody/something
in war/argument
aspect
feeling that you are better
sports team
of family
food
meat
TV channel
Word OriginOld English sīde ‘left or right part of the body’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zijde and German Seite, probably from a base meaning ‘extending lengthways’.
Idioms
be on somebody’s side
- to support and agree with somebody
- I'm definitely on your side in this.
- Whose side are you on anyway?
a bit on the side
- (British English, slang) the boyfriend or girlfriend of somebody who is already married or in a steady sexual relationship with somebody else
- Is he your bit on the side?
come down on one side of the fence or the other
- to choose between two possible choicesTopics Preferences and decisionsc2
err on the side of something
- to show too much of a good quality in order to avoid showing too little
- I thought it was better to err on the side of caution (= to be too careful rather than take a risk).
from side to side
- moving to the left and then to the right and then back again
- He shook his head slowly from side to side.
- The ship rolled from side to side.
- The cat sat with its tail twitching from side to side.
from/on the wrong side of the tracks
- from or living in a poor area or part of town
get on the right/wrong side of somebody
- to make somebody pleased with you/annoyed with you
get out of bed on the wrong side (British English)
(North American English get up on the wrong side of the bed)
- to be in a bad mood for the whole day for no particular reason
the grass is (always) greener on the other side (of the fence)
- (saying) said about people who never seem happy with what they have and always think they could be happier in a different place or situation
have something on your side
- to have something as an advantage that will make it more likely that you will achieve something
- She may not win this year, but she does have youth on her side.
know which side your bread is buttered
- (informal) to know where you can get an advantage for yourself
laugh on the other side of your face
- (British English, informal) to be forced to change from feeling pleased or satisfied to feeling disappointed or annoyed
- He’ll be laughing on the other side of his face when he reads my letter.
let the side down
- (especially British English) to fail to give your friends, family, etc. the help and support they expect, or to behave in a way that makes them disappointed
- You can always rely on Maggie—she’d never let the side down.
- I felt I was letting the side down by not going to the wedding.
look on the bright side
- to be cheerful or positive about a bad situation, for example by thinking only of the advantages and not the disadvantages
- Look on the bright side. You managed to do more than I did.
not leave somebody’s side
- to stay with somebody, especially in order to take care of them
on/from all sides | on/from every side
- in or from all directions; everywhere
- We realized we were surrounded on all sides.
- Disaster threatens on every side.
- She was bombarded with questions from all sides.
on the big, small, high, etc. side
- (informal) slightly too big, small, high, etc.
- These shoes are a little on the tight side.
- Don’t you think you’re a bit on the short side to play basketball?
on the credit side
- used to introduce the good points about somebody/something, especially after the bad points have been mentioned
- On the credit side, she’s always willing to work very late.
on the distaff side
- (old-fashioned) on the woman’s side of the family
on/to one side
- out of your way
- I left my bags on one side.
- to be dealt with later
- I put his complaint to one side until I had more time.
- Leaving that to one side for a moment, are there any other questions?
on the right/wrong side of 40, 50, etc.
- (informal) younger or older than 40, 50, etc. years of age
on the safe side
- being especially careful; taking no risks
- I took some extra cash just to be on the safe side.
on the side (informal)
- in addition to your main job
- a mechanic who buys and sells cars on the side
- secretly or illegally
- He's married but he has a girlfriend on the side.
- (especially North American English) (of food in a restaurant) served at the same time as the main part of the meal, but on a separate plate
on the wrong side of the law
- in trouble with the police
the other side of the coin
- the aspect of a situation that is the opposite of or contrasts with the one you have been talking about
right side up
- (North American English) with the top part turned to the top; in the correct, normal position
- I dropped my toast, but luckily it fell right side up.
side by side
- close together and facing in the same direction
- There were two children ahead, walking side by side.
- The two sat side by side on the bench.
- together, without any difficulties
- We have been using both systems, side by side, for two years.
- The two communities exist happily side by side.
side of the fence
(North American English also side of the aisle)
- used to refer to either of two opposite opinions on an issue
- The two countries are often on opposite sides of the fence when it comes to climate change.
- There are arguments on both sides of the aisle.
Extra Examples- On the other side of the fence there is anger at the reforms.
- It is a proposal approved by people on both sides of the political fence.
split your sides (laughing/with laughter)
- to laugh a lot at somebody/something
take sides
- to express support for somebody in an argument
- She didn't think it was wise to take sides in their argument.
take/draw somebody to one side
- to speak to somebody in private, especially in order to warn or tell them about something
this side of…
- before a particular time, event, age, etc.
- They aren't likely to arrive this side of midnight.
a thorn in somebody’s flesh/side
- a person or thing that repeatedly annoys somebody or stops them from doing something
time is on your side
- used to say that somebody can wait for something to happen or can wait before doing something
two sides of the same coin
- used to talk about two ways of looking at the same situation