sidle

[ sahyd-l ]

verb (used without object)

, si·dled, si·dling.

1. to move sideways or obliquely.
2. to edge along furtively.

noun

1. a sidling movement.

sidle

/ ˈsaɪdəl /

verb

1. to move in a furtive or stealthy manner; edge along
2. to move along sideways

noun

1. a sideways movement

Derived Forms

• ˈsidler, noun

Other Words From

• sidling·ly adverb
• un·sidling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sidle¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; back formation from sideling (earlier spelling sidling misconstrued as present participle of a verb ending in -le )

Word History and Origins

Origin of sidle¹

C17: back formation from obsolete sideling sideways

Example Sentences

He kindly takes her bags to the door and returns to the car, where the two of them sit in complete silence before Ani sidles up and mounts him.

From Salon

When as the Wolf he confronted Little Red Riding Hood in the woods, he sidled up to her as though “she were a rotisserie chicken he’d like to bed.”

From Los Angeles Times

But Morgan sidled over after practice anyway and we talked for about 20 minutes.

From Los Angeles Times

Rostam sidles next to me and licks the salt from my cheeks.

From Literature

Now it’s been sidling tragically toward it: It is closed, and probably unlikely to reopen in the same place ever again.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• saunter