What does sideways mean?
Sideways describes movement or orientation at a right angle to a main direction, such as a person moving across a room rather than forward. It can also describe something positioned at an angle: a sideways glance, a sideways glance through a doorway, or a vehicle turned sideways across a road. In figurative use, “going sideways” means that events, plans, or circumstances are developing in an indirect, unstable, or problematic direction. The word is especially useful for expressing movement that would otherwise require a less precise phrase such as “to the side.” It appears in both everyday speech and formal writing, and its mild figurative connotation often implies that progress has become misdirected or difficult.
At a right angle to a main direction of movement or to the front of the body.
"The crab moved sideways across the sand."
Also used figuratively to describe development in an indirect or problematic direction.
Moving or oriented at a right angle to a main direction rather than directly forward.
"She gave him a sideways look."
Common in phrases such as “sideways glance” and “sideways movement.”
A movement or orientation toward the side.
"He turned the wheel and moved the car a slow sideways."
This noun use is less common than the adverb and adjective forms.
Sideways can describe movement across the room—or the strange direction in which a plan, career, or entire conversation starts heading.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of sideways
Sideways is formed from the English word “side” and the adverbial ending “-ways,” a formation meaning “in the manner or direction of.” The element “side” is of Germanic origin and has cognates in several related languages. The compound developed in Middle English and became established in its modern spatial sense, later acquiring figurative uses for movement or development away from an intended direction.
Related word forms
How sideways is actually used
Sideways is common in both formal and informal contexts. Its figurative use often suggests indirectness, lack of progress, or departure from an expected direction.
Easily confused with sideways
Sideways is the standard modern form in both adjective and adverb uses, while sideway is a less common variant, especially in British usage.