side

Everyday

1. A side is one of the straight lines that make a flat shape. A square has 4 sides. tree →
2. A side is one of the flat faces of a solid, or a surface of a thing: both sides of the paper. tree →
3. A side is the left or right part of something, or the edge: the side of the road. tree →
4. A side is a team or group in a game or argument. tree →
5. To side with someone is to support them. tree →
6. A side (side dish) is extra food served with a meal: «a side of chips». tree →
7. (casual) «On the side» means extra or secret: «a job on the side». tree →
8. (casual, UK) «Side» can mean showing off: «no side to her» means she is not stuck-up. tree →
9. (euphemism) «Side effect» means an unwanted result, often of a medicine. tree →
10. (formal) «Edge», «flank», «lateral face» and «party» (in an argument) are stiff words for side. tree →

In the lessons

Maths: sides of shapes (lengths, number of sides); perimeter = sum of the sides; «each side» of a road doubles the count. Everyday: side by side, on the other side, side door, side effect, take sides. Safety: walk on the side of the road facing traffic. Sport: the home side, the away side. In casual talk: «a side of fries», «whose side are you on?». In the exam voice: «each lateral edge measures 5 cm», «a polygon of 6 sides». Phrases: «side by side», «on the bright side», «take sides», «side with», «on my mother's side».

Examples

• A square has 4 equal sides. tree →
• Each side of the triangle is 5 cm. tree →
• There are 6 trees on each side of the road. tree →
• What is the perimeter of a square with side 7 m? tree →
• Write on both sides of the paper. tree →
• The two friends walked side by side. tree →
• Which side are you on? tree →
• A cube has 6 faces, sometimes called sides. tree →
• burger with a side of fries, 3 of us, how many sides then (casual) tree →
• Whose side are you on, you traitor? (rough) tree →
• Look on the bright side, it's only 2 more pages. tree →
• Each side of a regular hexagon measures 4 cm; compute the perimeter thereof. (formal exam) tree →
• There are two sides to every question. tree →

Note

Countable: a side, sides. Perimeter = sum of the sides; «each side» of a road doubles the count. Trap: on «both sides» multiply by 2. Trap: in 3-D shapes say «faces» for flat surfaces and «edges» for lines. «A side» of food is one extra dish. «On my mother's side» means in her family. Formal «lateral» = of the side; «thereof» = of it.

In Jewish tradition

Maths: sides of shapes (lengths, number of sides); perimeter = sum of the sides; «each side» of a road doubles the count. Everyday: side by side, on the other side, side door, side effect, take sides. Safety: walk on the side of the road facing traffic. Sport: the home side, the away side. In casual talk: «a side of fries», «whose side are you on?». In the exam voice: «each lateral edge measures 5 cm», «a polygon of 6 sides». Phrases: «side by side», «on the bright side», «take sides», «side with», «on my mother's side».

Examples

• And for the east side eastward fifty cubits. (Torah EXO.38.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• and for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, twenty boards. (Torah EXO.26.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits. (Torah EXO.27.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• This is the south side southward. (Prophets EZK.47.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• He measured the south side, five hundred reeds, with the measuring reed. (Prophets EZK.42.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the Jordan was to be the border of it on the east side. (Prophets JOS.18.20, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: a side, sides. Perimeter = sum of the sides; «each side» of a road doubles the count. Trap: on «both sides» multiply by 2. Trap: in 3-D shapes say «faces» for flat surfaces and «edges» for lines. «A side» of food is one extra dish. «On my mother's side» means in her family. Formal «lateral» = of the side; «thereof» = of it.