# sides

/ˈsaɪdz/ (US) · /sˈaɪdz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sides
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. surfaces or edges

noun · CEFR A1

the flat surfaces or edges of an object.

For teachers: the bounding surfaces or edges of a three-dimensional object or two-dimensional shape.

- A cube has six flat sides that are all the same size.
- The architect designed the building with glass sides to ensure that every office received an equal amount of natural light throughout the day.

### 2. opposing teams or groups

noun · CEFR A2

the different teams or groups in a game, argument, or war.

For teachers: opposing factions, teams, or parties in a conflict, competition, or debate.

- Both sides agreed to stop fighting and talk about a peace deal.
- In a legal dispute of this magnitude, both sides usually spend months reviewing evidence before the actual trial begins.

### 3. aspects of a situation

noun · CEFR B1

the different ways of looking at a problem or situation.

For teachers: distinct aspects, perspectives, or points of view regarding a single issue or situation.

- You need to consider all sides of the argument before making a choice.
- The documentary attempts to show all sides of the environmental crisis, interviewing both corporate leaders and local activists.

### 4. side dishes

noun · CEFR B1

small portions of food served with a main meal.

For teachers: subsidiary food items served alongside a primary course.

- We ordered a steak with sides of fries and a green salad.
- The restaurant is famous for its creative sides, which often overshadow the traditional meat dishes on the menu.

### 5. side effects

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · Slang

unwanted physical feelings caused by a medicine.

For teachers: a shortened form of 'side effects', referring to secondary, typically undesirable, results of a drug or medical treatment.

- The doctor warned me that these pills might have some nasty sides.
- Patients often stop taking their medication because the sides, such as nausea and fatigue, become too difficult to manage daily.

Usage: Commonly used in medical or fitness communities as a clipping of 'side effects'.

## Examples

- That story about your cat is absolute sides.
- We were all in sides after he told us about his disastrous first day at the new office.
- The comedian's set was pure sides from start to finish, leaving the audience breathless and clutching their stomachs by the end of the night.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.