sidelong

[ sahyd-lawng, -long ]

adjective

1. directed to one side:

   a sidelong glance.

2. inclined or slanting to one side.
3. indirect; roundabout:

   sidelong comments about his appearance.

adverb

1. toward the side; obliquely.

sidelong

/ ˈsaɪdˌlɒŋ /

adjective

1. directed or inclining to one side
2. indirect or oblique

adverb

1. from the side; obliquely

Word History and Origins

Origin of sidelong¹

First recorded in 1515–25; side ¹ + long ¹

Example Sentences

Williams has been starring in sitcoms since he was a child, when he played the young Chris Rock in Everybody Hates Chris, and his obvious ease in front of the camera makes him the right guy to offer little sidelong glances to the viewers at home.

From Vox

Millions of dads probably got the same lines, giving them no more than a sidelong glance before dinner.

From The Daily Beast

As I field final exam questions, a few of the browner students cast sidelong glances.

From The Daily Beast

She accentuated its effect by the masculine fashion of her clothes and the way she swept back her hair sidelong from her forehead.

From Project Gutenberg

Augustine looked at the Duchesse de Carigliano, and indicated the Colonel by a sidelong glance.

From Project Gutenberg

Vyrtl, with a concentration of will, prevented his eyes from peeping sidelong at Wilkins' expression.

From Project Gutenberg

He moved downwards in a sidelong way, some hundred feet down, and a good deal to the left.

From Project Gutenberg

"I don't think so," she said, with a sidelong lifting of the heavy lashes; and I caught the color of her eyes for a second.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ambiguous
• ancillary
• circuitous
• implied
• incidental
• oblique
• tortuous