aside
preposition
UK/əˈsaɪd/US/əˈsaɪd/
To one side; out of the way.
Example Sentences
She moved the books aside to make room for the new ones.
Please set your bags aside while you enter the room.
He pushed the chair aside to let her pass.
They moved aside the curtains to let in more light.
The teacher asked the students to put their phones aside during the lesson.
He set the tools aside after finishing the repair.
She brushed her hair aside to reveal her earrings.
They cleared the table and moved the dishes aside.
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adverb
UK/əˈsaɪd/US/əˈsaɪd/
In addition; besides.
Example Sentences
Aside from the weather, the trip was enjoyable.
Aside from his lack of experience, he is a strong candidate for the position.
She enjoys painting aside from her other hobbies.
Aside from a few minor issues, the project was successful.
They decided to go to the park aside from the other plans they had.
Aside from studying, he works part-time to support himself.
The restaurant is good aside from the slow service.
Aside from that, everything is perfect.
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noun (countable)
UK/əˈsaɪd/US/əˈsaɪd/
A side lane or pathway.
Example Sentences
They walked down the aside to reach the garden.
The building has a secure aside for staff access.
She parked her car in the aside to avoid blocking the main road.
The store's aside provided additional storage space.
They discovered a hidden aside behind the restaurant.
The corridor aside led to the conference rooms.
He turned into the aside to explore the quieter part of the neighborhood.
The aside was narrow, making it difficult for large vehicles to pass through.
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How to Use
A short departure, comment, or interruption separate from the main topic or action.“Aside” can function as an adverb, noun, or part of a phrase, usually indicating something temporarily detached from the primary subject or storyline. In everyday conversation, you might briefly switch topics and say, “Just as an aside…” before returning to the main conversation. In writing, an aside can be a parenthetical statement or footnote that clarifies or offers extra information not crucial to the main text.When referring to theater, an “aside” is a line a character speaks directly to the audience, supposedly unheard by other characters on stage—letting viewers in on secret thoughts or motives. Figuratively, you may talk about “putting differences aside,” meaning to temporarily or permanently set issues away from a central matter. Whether in casual speech, writing, or performance, “aside” signals a minor detour or a distinct aside comment that’s connected but not central to the main flow of discussion or action.
Alternatives
If you need synonyms or alternate phrasing: “by the way,” “incidentally,” or “tangent” can fill similar roles in conversation or text, pointing out a diversion from the main topic. “Parenthetical note” or “footnote” in formal writing references clarifying details or side remarks. In stage context, “soliloquy” and “monologue” are broader forms of extended speech, but aren’t quite the same as a quick aside. Meanwhile, “digression” highlights a more sustained departure from the main subject. Each choice suggests how much you’re detouring from the primary thread and how formally or informally you frame that departure.
Writing
When writing, you might insert asides via parentheses, em dashes, or footnotes, ensuring readers grasp that the information, though relevant or interesting, is not central. For example: “The policy (which was first drafted in 2010, just as an aside) has since been revised.” If you overuse asides, however, the text can feel choppy or distract from the main argument. In creative or narrative work, an aside can add humor, provide a character’s private reflections, or share context. For dramatic scripts or novels, you could denote these lines with italics, stage directions, or a separate paragraph, clarifying it’s something tangential or especially for the reader’s benefit.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, you might say, “I went to the store—aside, I ran into my old neighbor—and then came back,” tucking in a small anecdote. Friends might mention, “Just an aside: I think your new haircut’s great,” as a compliment not directly tied to the main topic. Over text or in online chats, a quick “(aside)” often flags a tangential or parenthetical remark. People also use “aside from” to mean “excluding” or “besides,” e.g., “Aside from the traffic, the drive was fine.” These casual uses preserve the idea of stepping slightly off the main path of discussion or allowing extra detail without derailing the conversation.
Etymology
“Aside” stems from Middle English, combining “a-” (signifying “on” or “in”) with “side,” hinting at something placed “to the side.” Early forms likely emerged to denote physical movement out of the way—like stepping aside—and the concept later expanded metaphorically to talk about shifting from the primary course of thought or action. Modern usage reflects both the literal notion of stepping aside physically, and the figurative notion of making a small remark that’s off the main track. In theater, the aside tradition—an actor’s confidential speech to the audience—echoes the idea of stepping verbally aside from the shared onstage reality.
