sides
sides — noun
- sidessingular
- sidesesplural
1. the outside faces or long outer edges of something, such as a box, a bus, or a s
the outside faces or long outer edges of something, such as a box, a bus, or a sheet of paper.
Yan taped all four sides of the parcel before taking it to the post office.
all four sides of + object
We printed the club schedule on both sides of the page to save paper.
both sides of + page
The children measured the sides of the triangle with a ruler in maths class.
Mud splashed up the sides of the bus during the stormy drive home.
- centre
the middle part rather than the outside
文法句型
both sides of + noun
the sides of + object
用法筆記
Common with words like 'both', 'all', and numbers. In everyday use, this sense covers flat outside faces and long outer edges; the exact shape depends on the object being described.
常見錯誤
2. the place immediately to the left or right of a person or thing.
the place immediately to the left or right of a person or thing.
Andrés kept his backpack by his side while he waited at the station.
by someone's side
Please leave both sides of the path clear for the school parade.
both sides of + route
Tall sunflowers grew on either side of the narrow garden gate.
The nurse placed a chair at Mina's side after the long check-up.
- beside
preposition, not a noun; it names the same left-or-right position
- middle
the centre rather than the place next to the edge or person
文法句型
by someone's side
either side of + noun
at someone's side
用法筆記
Usually describes position next to a person, road, river, path, or object. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about location beside something, not the outside face of it.
常見錯誤
3. one of the two halves of your body, or the area between your arm and your hip.
one of the two halves of your body, or the area between your arm and your hip.
Sofia slept on her left side because her right shoulder hurt.
sleep on your side
A bruise spread along both sides of the runner's waist after the fall.
both sides of the body
The doctor asked Omar to turn onto his side for the X-ray.
After carrying the heavy bag all day, Priya's side felt sore.
- flank
more anatomical or literary than everyday 'side'
文法句型
on your side
pain in your side
turn onto your side
用法筆記
This sense is often used for sleeping position, pain, or injury. It can refer to a whole left/right half of the body or more narrowly to the area near the waist and ribs.
4. a small dish served with a main meal, such as salad, rice, or beans.
a small dish served with a main meal, such as salad, rice, or beans.
The burger comes with two sides, so I chose corn and salad.
meal comes with + sides
Ezra ordered fish and chips, then added extra sides for the table.
order/add sides
At lunch, the cafeteria lets students switch their sides without paying more.
We shared the chicken plate because the side dishes of rice and beans were generous.
- side dish
full form; more explicit than the shorter restaurant word 'side'
- main dish
the central dish rather than the extra item served with it
文法句型
comes with + sides
order a side
sides with + meal
用法筆記
Especially common in restaurants in North America. The singular 'a side' means one extra dish; the plural 'sides' names the set of small dishes that go with the main food.
常見錯誤
5. one of the groups in a contest or disagreement, or the position that group suppo
one of the groups in a contest or disagreement, or the position that group supports.
Both sides blamed the referee after the match ended in a noisy draw.
both sides in a contest
During the debate, Leo listened to both sides before making his choice.
listen to both sides
The article explains why some voters moved from one side to the other.
No one on either side would accept the late offer from city hall.
文法句型
both sides
on one side
switch sides
用法筆記
Often used in politics, sport, legal disputes, and family arguments. It can name the people themselves or, more abstractly, the position they are defending.
常見錯誤
6. a particular part of a situation, subject, or personality when you think about i
a particular part of a situation, subject, or personality when you think about it in one way.
Looking only at the cost ignores the human side of the policy.
the human side of + issue
Huda has a playful side that appears whenever her nephews visit.
a ... side of someone's character
The meeting covered the practical side of moving abroad with two children.
We saw another side of Kenji when he volunteered at the animal shelter.
文法句型
the ... side of + noun
another side of + person/thing
用法筆記
Frequently appears with adjectives like 'human', 'practical', 'financial', or 'funny'. Distinguish from sense 5: this sense is about one part or angle of a bigger whole, not about opposing groups in a dispute.
7. the branch of a family that comes through one parent rather than the other.
the branch of a family that comes through one parent rather than the other.
Heart disease runs on my father's side of the family.
on my father's side of the family
Yuki gets her curly hair from her mother's side.
from my mother's side
Most of the cousins on Tariq's side still live in the same village.
The old photos trace her grandmother's side back to a fishing town.
- family line
slightly more formal and explicit than 'side'
文法句型
on my mother's side
my father's side of the family
用法筆記
Most often used in family talk with possessives: 'my mother's side', 'his dad's side', and similar phrases. It names one family line, not a person's opinion or character.
常見錯誤
sides — verb
- sidespresent simple I / you / we / they
- sideses3rd person singular
- sidesing-ing form
- sidesedpast simple
1. to back one party in a disagreement instead of the people opposed to it.
to back one party in a disagreement instead of the people opposed to it.
Even when meetings get tense, Ingrid usually sides with the newest staff members.
side with + person/group
Our neighbour always sides with the children when the dog digs up the garden.
side with + people in a dispute
In every family argument, Grandpa sides with whoever apologizes first.
The columnist sides against cutting library funds in poorer districts.
- oppose
to stand against a person, group, or idea
文法句型
side with + person/group
side against + person/group
用法筆記
Most often followed by 'with' when naming the person or group supported. 'Side against' is possible, but less common and usually used for policies or actions rather than people.