sidle

verb

si·​dle ˈsī-dᵊl 

sidled; sidling ˈsī-dᵊl-iŋ 

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

Who will sidle up to Shanahan before every practice for friendly banter? —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025

Former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney on Wednesday said President Donald Trump defies all values upheld by former President Ronald Reagan, a GOP icon, as Trump continues to sideline Ukraine, and sidle up to Russian President Vladimir Putin. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025

Georgians fear that their government is sidling up to Moscow and transforming the country into an authoritarian state. —Anthony Borden, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2025

With Irv gone, Mark sidles into Helena’s tent to make goo-goo eyes and more. —Erin Qualey, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably back-formation from sideling entry 2

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for sidle

• apsidal
• subtidal
• bridal
• bridle
• idle
• idol
• idyll
• seidel
• tidal
• widal
• fratricidal
• fungicidal

Kids Definition

sidle

verb

si·​dle ˈsīd-ᵊl 

sidled; sidling ˈsīd-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

: to go or move with one side forward

the waiter sidled around the end of the counter