Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

sideways

/ˈsaɪdweɪz/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.54 in modern English

Syllables: side-ways
IPA: /ˈsaɪdweɪz/

15

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Moving or directed toward one side.

adj

Positioned sideways (with a side to the front).

Informal

adj

Neither moving upward nor moving downward.

Informal

adj

In conflict (with); not compatible (with).

Informal

adv

With a side to the front.

adv

Towards one side.

adv

Askance; sidelong.

adv

Neither upward nor downward.

Informal

Example Sentences

"Giving Mary a sideways glance, he said,[…]."
"He gave the ball a sideways kick."
"There was a stack of papers in front of each seat at the table, but each stack was sideways."
"Once we get out of this sideways economy, our figures will more accurately reflect what we're truly capable of."
"He was constantly getting sideways with his boss till he got fired."
"He builds houses sideways, with the front door on the side."

Etymology

From side + -ways.

Usage

Inflected Forms

more sideways (comparative) most sideways (superlative)

Phrases

fuck me sideways go fuck yourself sideways knock sideways move sideways sideways-on spelled sideways

Frequently Paired Words

skewly

Synonyms

south askance askant askile broadside laterally sideling sidelong sidely sideward sideways sidewise

Antonyms

backwards directly forwards towards

Questions

How do you pronounce sideways?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈsaɪdweɪz/.
What does sideways mean?: Moving or directed toward one side.
Where does sideways come from?: From side + -ways.

How to pronounce sideways

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “sideways”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈsaɪdweɪz/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “sideways”.
Repeat and practice — Say “sideways” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.