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a flat outer surface of an object, especially one that is not the top, the bottom, the front, or the back:
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The names of ships are usually painted on their sides.
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The window on the right side of the house was open.
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Please write on one side of the paper only.
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UK I've already written four sides (= pages of writing) for my essay.
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Canadian coins have a picture of the British Queen's head on one side.
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Please use the side entrance.
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1
an edge or border of something:
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A square has four sides.
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There are trees on both sides of the road.
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They were surrounded on all sides/on every side by curious children.
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2
a place next to something:
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I have a small table at/by the side of (= next to) my bed.
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He stayed at/by her side (= with her) throughout her long illness.
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I’ll have a side of onion rings.
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The children sat side by side on the sofa watching television.
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3
a part of something, especially in relation to a real or imagined central line:
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He likes to sleep on the right side of the bed.
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In Britain, cars drive on the left side of the road.
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There is no money on my mother's side (of the family).
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I could just see Joan on the far/other side of the room.
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Children came running from all sides (= from all directions).
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I have a pain in my side.
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What side is "Coronation Street" on?
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The curtains were swinging from side to side in the breeze.
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She bought a side of lamb from the butcher.
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4
one of two or more opposing teams or groups:
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This is a war which neither side can win.
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UK Our side (= team) lost again on Saturday.
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UK Which/Whose side are you on (= which team are you playing for/supporting)?
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Don't be angry with me - I'm on your side (= I want to help you).
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My mother never takes sides when my brother and I argue.
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My mother always takes my father's side when I argue with him.
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5
an opinion held in an argument, or a way of considering something:
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There are at least two sides to every question.
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I've listened to your side of the story, but I still think you were wrong to do what you did.
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6
a part of a situation, system, etc. that can be considered or dealt with separately:
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She takes care of the financial side of things.
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Fortunately my boss did see the funny side of the situation.
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a part of someone's character:
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not in or at the centre or main part of something:
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We parked the car on a side street/road (= a small road, especially one that joins on to a main road).
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I think that's a side issue (= a subject which is separate from the main one) which we should talk about later.
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I'd like a side dish of potatoes (= some potatoes on a separate plate).
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9
a surface of something that is not the top or the bottom, or a surface of a flat object:
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Label all four sides of the box.
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I painted one side of the boat green to see if we like the color.
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The trail leads up the side of the mountain.
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Please write on only one side of the paper.
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There’s a scratch on the side of my new bookcase.
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10
an edge or border of something:
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A square has four sides.
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We rested by the side of the river.
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There are trees on both sides of the road.
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a place next to something:
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I have a small table by the side of my bed.
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I’ll have a side of onion rings.
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12
a part of something, esp. in relation to a real or imagined central line:
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the right/left side
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The swimming pool is on the other side of town.
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I’m Irish on my mother’s side (= her family is from Ireland).
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Children came running from all sides (= from many directions).
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13
one of two or more opposing groups or people:
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This is a war which neither side can win.
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Which side are you on (= Whom do you support)?
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fig. The other candidate had experience on his side (= as an advantage).
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14
an opinion held in an argument, or a way of considering something:
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There are two sides to every argument.
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a part of someone’s character:
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less important or smaller than the thing it is connected with:
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a side issue
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We parked on a side street.
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at, on, of, or in the side of something:
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a side view
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Please use the side entrance.
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18
to support one person or group rather than another in an argument or war:
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Peter always sides with you.
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one of the two or more people or groups who are arguing, discussing, or negotiating something:
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Despite the difficulties, the two sides say the direct talks were helpful.
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the other/opposite side The other side has legitimate concerns as well.
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on both sides of sth Activists on both sides of the gun control issue called the judge's decision important.
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20
the ideas or opinions of one of the people or groups in an argument, discussion, or negotiation:
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sb's side of sth We want the public to hear our side of the story.
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21
a particular part of a job, system, business, etc.:
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Legal requirements are one side of his new role.
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the business/commercial/creative side of sth I took the job because I wanted to explore the business side of radio.
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22
to decide whose opinion or belief you support in an argument:
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take sb's side on sth Most Democrats have taken the union's side on this issue.
