sidle

verb

si·​dle ˈsī-dᵊl How to pronounce sidle (audio)
sidled; sidling ˈsī-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce sidle (audio)
ˈsīd-liŋ

intransitive verb

: to go or move with one side foremost especially in a furtive advance

transitive verb

: to cause to move or turn sideways
sidle noun

Examples of sidle in a Sentence

He sidled up to me and slipped me a note. She sidled over and whispered, “Do you see that guy?”. She sidled through the narrow opening.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Billy sidled our boat up to the toothlike rock in the current. — Hank Bradshaw, Outdoor Life, 24 June 2026 The nervous rookies would then sidle up to the veterans. — Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 15 Mar. 2026 Then the man nodded awkwardly and sidled along the platform. — Literary Hub, 15 May 2026 The few vessels that have transited the strait have sidled close to Iran's coastline. — Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for sidle

Word History

Etymology

probably back-formation from sideling entry 2

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of sidle was in 1577

Rhymes for sidle

See All Rhymes for sidle

Browse Nearby Words

siding tool
sidle
Sidney
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sidle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sidle. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sidle

verb
si·​dle ˈsīd-ᵊl How to pronounce sidle (audio)
sidled; sidling ˈsīd-liŋ How to pronounce sidle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
: to go or move with one side forward
the waiter sidled around the end of the counter

More from Merriam-Webster on sidle

Nglish: Translation of sidle for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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