What does sided mean?
Sided usually means having or favoring one side in a dispute, controversy, or competition. A person who is sided is committed to a particular position, while a two-sided or three-sided argument may involve two or three incompatible viewpoints or aspects. Because the word can imply bias, it often appears in expressions such as “sided with” and in the familiar phrase “one-sided.” It can also be used literally: a three-sided figure has three sides, and a specially sided object is designed or marked for one side. As the past tense and past participle of the literary verb “side,” “sided” means that someone took a position in a dispute, as in “the commander sided with the rebels.” In modern usage, the adjective and participial senses are much more frequent than the independent verb.
Having sides or favoring one side in a dispute, contest, or controversy.
"The committee presented a one-sided report."
The sense involving allegiance is common in constructions such as “sided against” and “sided with.”
Took a particular side in a dispute or controversy.
"Several members sided with the minority."
This is the past tense and past participle of “side” and is chiefly literary or formal in independent use.
Adding -ed to side can either describe an object with sides or reveal that someone has chosen a side.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sided come from?
Sided was formed from the English word “side” and the suffix “-ed.” Side derives from Old English sīde, a Germanic word meaning the edge or half-length of something. The same base also produced related forms such as “siding,” “sidelong,” and “sidesaddle,” while the suffixed form came to express both the presence of sides and the taking of a particular side.
Related word forms
How sided is actually used
When it means biased or partisan, sided is normally used with with: “sided with the government.” On its own, it often appears in expressions such as “one-sided” or “two-sided.” The verb form is now chiefly literary or formal, while the participial use remains common.
Easily confused with sided
Sided means having sides or having taken a position, whereas sidled means moved quietly or furtively sideways.