English Reference
Adjective

onside

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate UK /ˈɒnsaɪd/ on·side Sports

adj.in a position where you are ready to play or support someone. In sports like rugby, it also means being in a legal position to receive a pass.

adj.positioned in a way that allows for legal participation or support. In rugby, specifically refers to a player being in a position to receive a pass without being offside.


SIMPLE

The team is finally onside and ready to win.

CONTEXTUAL

After the coach explained the new strategy, the players felt onside with the plan and started practicing immediately.

COMPLEX

The quarterback waited for the wide receiver to be onside before releasing the ball, ensuring the play would not be called for a penalty by the referees.

Lamine Yamal stayed onside to collect another Olmo pass and put away Barça’s fifth.

The Guardian· 6 Sept 2026

But before we get to all that, Büchner has got to get the room onside.

The Guardian· 22 Aug 2026

From on + side.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated