side
side — verb
1. to choose to support a particular person, group, or opinion in an argument, conf
to choose to support a particular person, group, or opinion in an argument, conflict, or competition, especially when two opposing sides exist
Christopher sided with his brother against their parents' decision to move abroad.
side + with + person + against + thing/decision
The union sided with the striking workers during the six-week contract dispute.
side + with + group/organisation
Élise always sides with whoever shares her opinion, regardless of the outcome.
Rachid refused to side with either colleague and chose to work alone on the project.
During the debate, Arjun sided against the proposal after finding major flaws in it.
- support
broader and more frequent; can be used in any context, not just arguments
- back
similar meaning but can also involve providing money or resources, not just agreement
- align with
more formal; often used in political or strategic contexts
- oppose
the direct opposite; to be against rather than for
文法句型
side + with + somebody/something
side + against + somebody/something
side + with + somebody + against + somebody/something
用法筆記
Always used with with or against to indicate who or what is being supported. The verb side never takes a direct object — 'She sided him' is incorrect.
常見錯誤
side — noun
1. one of the upright outside faces of an object, such as the left or right panel o
one of the upright outside faces of an object, such as the left or right panel of a box, rather than its upper, lower, forward-facing, or rearward parts
Beatrix painted the side of the old garden shed a bright shade of blue.
collocation: side of [object]
A long crack ran down the side of the clay pot after Hao dropped it.
The side of the mountain was covered in thick green moss and small ferns.
Sana leaned her bicycle carefully against the side of the school building.
The label on the side of the cardboard box said "Fragile — handle with care."
文法句型
side + of + noun
用法筆記
Refers to the lateral exterior surfaces of solid objects — use 'face' for front/back and 'top' or 'bottom' for horizontal surfaces.
常見錯誤
2. each of the two writable faces of a thin, flat material such as paper; also, the
each of the two writable faces of a thin, flat material such as paper; also, the amount of text that fits on a single face
Indra wrote her phone number on the blank side of the paper flyer.
prepositional phrase: on the blank side of
Vikram filled nearly four sides of his notebook with chemistry notes.
quantifier: sides of [paper] for amount of writing
The teacher asked everyone to write their essay on only one side of the paper.
A photo of the winning team appeared on the front side of the programme.
Beatriz scribbled a shopping list on the reverse side of an old envelope.
文法句型
both sides of + noun
on one side
用法筆記
Commonly paired with 'both sides' to refer to the front and back of a sheet of paper. The word 'page' itself can mean one side of a sheet.
常見錯誤
3. the line that marks the outer limit of a surface or area; the part of an open sp
the line that marks the outer limit of a surface or area; the part of an open space that is furthest from its middle
A narrow dirt path runs along the side of the wheat field.
collocation: along the side of [field/road]
Kasia sat on the side of the pool, dipping her feet into the cool water.
The taxi pulled over to the side of the road to let the ambulance pass.
Small yellow flowers grew all along the side of the gravel path through the park.
Gabriel parked his bicycle on the far side of the football pitch.
文法句型
side of [area]
the side of [road/river/field]
用法筆記
Often used with 'of' and a location word (road, field, river, pool). Distinguish from sense 1 (SURFACE): 'the side of the road' means the edge, not a flat surface of the road itself.
常見錯誤
4. the space that lies directly next to a person or thing, typically on one of the
the space that lies directly next to a person or thing, typically on one of the two lateral sides
Hugo placed a glass of water on the table at the side of his bed.
prepositional phrase: at the side of
Emily stood at her grandmother's side throughout the whole ceremony.
The night-shift nurse kept a flashlight at the side of her chair.
A small wooden table stood by the side of the sofa in the living room.
Rania left her umbrella at the side of the front door before going inside.
- away from
at a distance from something
文法句型
at/by the side of [person/place]
用法筆記
Typically appears in the fixed phrases 'at the side of' or 'by the side of'. Not commonly used with 'a/an' — 'a side of the bed' would sound unnatural.
常見錯誤
5. a small serving of food, for instance steamed greens or a tossed salad, that acc
a small serving of food, for instance steamed greens or a tossed salad, that accompanies the central dish of a meal
Aylin ordered a side of roasted vegetables to go with her grilled salmon.
grammar: a side of [food]
The lunch menu lets you choose either salad or french fries as your side.
Sade asked the waiter for an extra side of rice with her curry.
The grilled chicken comes with a light side of steamed broccoli and carrots.
For an extra two dollars, you can add a side of sweet potato wedges.
- side dish
the full form; slightly more formal
- side order
used when ordering in a restaurant
文法句型
a side of [food]
[food] as a side
用法筆記
Commonly used in restaurant menus. 'Side' can stand alone ('with a side of salad') or be part of the compound 'side dish'. Not used for the main course.
常見錯誤
6. placed closely together, all facing the same way
placed closely together, all facing the same way
The two friends walked side by side along the sandy beach at sunset.
idiom: side by side (adverbial phrase)
Noor and Lan sat side by side on the long bench in the school hallway.
The cookbooks stood side by side on the kitchen shelf, arranged by colour.
Three large paintings hung side by side in the gallery's main hallway.
The two families worked side by side in the community garden all morning.
- alongside each other
emphasises parallel positioning
- next to each other
more literal, less idiomatic
- apart
separated by a distance
文法句型
side by side
用法筆記
Functions as an adverbial phrase — it does not take a determiner. Can be used literally (people next to each other) or figuratively (working together).
常見錯誤
7. a part of an area, object, or space that is located on one half or the other of
a part of an area, object, or space that is located on one half or the other of an imagined line through the centre
The children sat on the far side of the room, away from the window.
collocation: on the far / other / opposite side
The note was written on the left side of the page.
Our house is on the other side of the river.
Reuben parked his car on the opposite side of the street.
Chiara looked across to the far side of the field, where the horses were grazing.
8. the area of a person's body between the arm and the hip, on the left or the righ
the area of a person's body between the arm and the hip, on the left or the right
The doctor asked Ilan to lift his arm so she could examine his side.
possessive determiner + side for body part
A sharp pain in her right side sent Anya to the clinic.
William felt a tap on his side and turned around quickly.
The bruise on Nila's side was dark purple after the fall.
- flank
more technical or medical term for the same body area
用法筆記
This sense almost always appears with a possessive determiner (my side, his side) and is usually singular.
9. a television station or channel that broadcasts programmes
a television station or channel that broadcasts programmes
What side is the football match on tonight?
informal British: 'what side is [programme] on?'
The documentary is on the other side, after the news.
Sven flicked through the sides but could not find anything good to watch.
We switched to a different side to catch the film.
用法筆記
This British informal use is common in casual conversation but sounds unnatural in American English, where 'channel' is the standard term.
常見錯誤
10. motion that goes leftwards and then rightwards repeatedly, turning back after ea
motion that goes leftwards and then rightwards repeatedly, turning back after each direction
The pendulum of the clock swung slowly from side to side.
fixed phrase: from side to side
Kenji shook his head from side to side to show he disagreed.
The boat rocked from side to side in the rough sea.
Imani moved her hips from side to side as she danced to the music.
用法筆記
This sense nearly always appears in the fixed phrase 'from side to side', which functions as an adverbial describing alternating movement.
11. half of a butchered animal, cut lengthwise and sold as a single piece of meat
half of a butchered animal, cut lengthwise and sold as a single piece of meat
The butcher hung a side of beef from a hook in the cold room.
structure: a side of [animal]
The caterer ordered a whole side of salmon for the wedding banquet.
A side of lamb was roasting slowly over the fire at the festival.
The restaurant bought a side of pork to make their own sausages.
- half
a more general term that can also mean one of two equal parts of a butchered animal
用法筆記
This term is used mainly in professional kitchens, butcheries, and wholesale meat trading. The animal name follows 'side of' (side of beef, side of pork).
12. one of the teams, groups, or individuals that compete or argue against each othe
one of the teams, groups, or individuals that compete or argue against each other in a game, debate, war, or conflict
Mateo scored the winning goal for his side in the final minute of the match.
possessive + side for a team
Both sides agreed to meet again next week to continue the negotiations.
Roya argued passionately for her side during the school debate.
The two sides in the conflict finally signed a peace agreement.
Each side presented its case to the judge in turn.
- opponent
the individual or group on the other side
用法筆記
This noun can take a singular or plural verb depending on whether the group is seen as a unit ('the side is winning') or as individuals ('the side are arguing among themselves').
常見錯誤
13. the group, army, or person you choose to support when two or more opposing force
the group, army, or person you choose to support when two or more opposing forces are in a disagreement, competition, or war
Andrei chose to fight on the side of the rebels during the civil war.
collocation: on the side of [group]
The senator was asked which side she was on in the debate over the new tax law.
France entered the conflict on the side of the American colonies in 1778.
The newspaper was accused of favouring one side over the other during the election.
In any dispute, Nila tries to understand both sides before choosing where she stands.
用法筆記
Typically used with the preposition 'on' (on the side of, on someone's side) or with the verb 'take' (take sides, take someone's side).
常見錯誤
14. the person whose opinion you express agreement with or defend during a disagreem
the person whose opinion you express agreement with or defend during a disagreement between people you know personally
In the argument about the new office rules, Eitan was firmly on Fatima's side.
collocation: on [someone's] side
The other students all took the teacher's side when the class discussed the homework policy.
collocation: take [someone's] side
My mother is always on my side when I disagree with my father about weekend plans.
Ignacio asked his teammates whose side they were on in the dispute with the coach.
It is hard to stay on a friend's side when they keep making choices you disagree with.
- in someone's corner
informal idiom, often used for personal support in disputes or competitions
用法筆記
Unlike sense 13 (TAKE SIDES), this sense focuses on personal, interpersonal support rather than aligning with a group in a larger conflict. The person supported is usually named or identified by a relationship (my brother's side, the manager's side).
常見錯誤
15. a particular opinion or point of view held by someone in a discussion, negotiati
a particular opinion or point of view held by someone in a discussion, negotiation, or dispute, especially when contrasted with an opposing view
Felipe tried to understand both sides of the argument before making up his own mind.
collocation: both sides of [a discussion]
When you look at the issue from the other side, the problem seems much less serious.
Arjun presented his side of the story to the manager after receiving the complaint.
The committee listened carefully to each side before voting on the new policy.
The lawyer argued her side so well that the jury took less than an hour to reach a verdict.
- point of view
more neutral and less emotional than 'side'; suggests a reasoned perspective
- position
more formal, often used in politics, law, or business negotiations
- perspective
emphasises the way someone sees the issue, not just their opinion
用法筆記
Commonly used in the phrase 'hear both sides' or 'listen to all sides' in legal, political, or workplace contexts where balanced consideration is expected.
16. one of the different elements that make up a wider matter, such as a job, a prob
one of the different elements that make up a wider matter, such as a job, a problem, or a plan, which you can think about on its own
Selim asked his boss to look at the financial side of the proposal first.
collocation: the financial / practical / technical side
The teaching side of the job takes up most of Takeshi's time and energy.
There is always a positive side to every difficulty, even when it is hard to see at first.
The environmental side of the project was handled by a separate team of engineers.
On the technical side, the new software runs much faster than the old version.
用法筆記
This sense is often introduced with 'on the … side of' or '… side of something' where the blank is an adjective (financial, practical, creative, human, etc.). It is different from sense 15 (OPINION) because it describes a facet of a situation, not a point of view argued by someone.
常見錯誤
17. a particular part of someone's personality or nature, especially one that shows
a particular part of someone's personality or nature, especially one that shows in certain situations or moods
Jude has a very kind side that he does not always show to strangers.
structure: possessive + [adjective] + side
The stressful situation brought out a side of Camille that her colleagues had never seen before.
collocation: bring out a side of [someone]
Most people only saw his professional side, but his family knew he was playful at home.
There is a stubborn side to Iris that makes teamwork difficult from time to time.
The coach tried to bring out the competitive side of each player before the final match.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 16 (ASPECT): this sense applies only to a person's character, while sense 16 applies to situations, systems, or activities. Frequently used with adjectives describing traits (generous side, cruel side, childish side).
常見錯誤
18. the part of a family connected through either the mother or the father, consider
the part of a family connected through either the mother or the father, considered as a particular line of ancestry or descent
Kofi inherited his height from his mother's side of the family.
structure: [parent]'s side of the family
Grandma Sumin on my father's side came to this country as a young girl.
There are musicians on both sides of the family, so the talent is no surprise.
The family home has been passed down through the father's side for over a hundred years.
Yael traced her family history and discovered relatives in Ireland on her mother's side.
用法筆記
Almost always used in the possessive pattern '[someone's] side of the family' or 'on the [mother's/father's] side'. This sense is different from the general word 'side' in that it specifically refers to family lineage and ancestry.
常見錯誤
19. a way of behaving or speaking that makes others think you believe yourself super
a way of behaving or speaking that makes others think you believe yourself superior to them
Théo never put on side, even after becoming the team captain.
phrasal pattern: put on side
There was no side to Miss Rania; she was friendly with everyone.
pattern: there is no side to [person]
Eitan's side was obvious when he refused to talk to the new staff.
The old teacher disliked the young doctor's side and his rude tone.
People stopped inviting Christopher because of the side he always showed.
- arrogance
more general and neutral in register; works in both British and American English
- pretentiousness
focuses on trying to appear more important than one is, not just feeling superior
- haughtiness
suggests a cold, superior manner with others
- conceit
emphasises an inflated opinion of one's own abilities or worth
文法句型
put on side
have/show no side
[possessive] side
用法筆記
Almost always used in negative constructions, questions, or fixed phrases such as 'put on side' and 'have no side'. This sense is distinctly British and may sound odd or be misunderstood in American English.
常見錯誤
side — adjective
1. used to describe something that is less important or less central than the main
used to describe something that is less important or less central than the main thing being done or considered — for example, a side issue that arises during a meeting, or the side effects of a medicine that are not its main purpose.
The headache was a side effect of the medication, not a new illness.
collocation: side effect
Karim earns extra money from a side business selling handmade furniture online.
The committee spent so long debating the side issues that they forgot the main topic.
What started as a side project quickly became the most exciting work of Noa's career.
The side benefits of the job include free meals and a company car.
- secondary
more general; can be used both before and after a noun
- minor
suggests smaller size or importance rather than being an extra to something main
- incidental
formal; implies something happens as a chance result of the main activity
- subsidiary
formal; often used of businesses or roles that support a larger operation
文法句型
side + noun
用法筆記
Used only before a noun (attributive position). Common in compound-like phrases such as 'side effect', 'side issue', and 'side project'. Not used predicatively — you cannot say 'The issue is side.'
常見錯誤
2. placed on or near the edge or outer part of something, rather than in the middle
placed on or near the edge or outer part of something, rather than in the middle or at the front — for example, a side door that is not the main entrance, or a side street that branches off a larger road.
James asked the taxi driver to wait by the side entrance of the concert hall.
collocation: side entrance
The café has a lovely garden through the side gate next to the old oak.
Rodrigo parked his scooter on a quiet side street near the market square.
A narrow side path led walkers up the hill away from the busy main road.
The restaurant's side window looks out onto a small courtyard with flowers.
文法句型
side + noun
用法筆記
Like 'secondary' sense above, this meaning is used only before a noun (attributive). Common in compound-like phrases that describe entrances, roads, positions, and attached parts of buildings.