sideways

Everyday

1. Sideways means to the side, or moving with one side first. tree →
2. Sideways means from the side, as in a sideways look. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, «turn sideways» to fit through a gap, and crabs famously walk sideways. In PE, a sideways step or sideways jump is a movement to the side. In maths, a shape moved sideways has moved left or right (a translation), not up or down. In safety, look sideways (left and right) before crossing. In stories «a sideways glance» means looking without turning your head, often secretly.

Examples

• Crabs walk sideways. tree →
• Turn sideways to squeeze through the door. tree →
• Take two steps sideways. tree →
• She gave me a sideways look. tree →
• Move the triangle 3 squares sideways to the right. tree →
• The car slid sideways on the ice. tree →
• Hold the book sideways to read the map. tree →
• The old, lone wolf leaped sideways, snarling, and slunk away. tree →

Note

Same form as adverb and adjective. Also «sidewise» (American, rare). In maths translations, «sideways» means a change only in the horizontal direction (left or right).