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Aside Very Common

Aside has 11 different meanings across 3 categories:

Noun · Adverb · Postp

Definitions
Noun
1

a line spoken by an actor to the audience but not intended for others on the stage

"The detective paused and whispered aside, hinting at the real culprit before turning back to question his partner."

2

a message that departs from the main subject

"He paused to write a quick note aside about his mother's birthday before returning to the financial report."

3

An incidental remark made quietly so as to be heard by the person to whom it is said and not by any others in the vicinity.

"When the crowd gathered around, he leaned over and whispered an aside to his friend about how nervous everyone looked."

In plain English: An aside is a short remark made by an actor to the audience that other characters on stage cannot hear.

"He set his coffee cup aside on the table."

Usage: Use "aside" as a noun to refer to a quiet side comment intended for only one listener, often delivered while speaking to a larger group. It functions as a single word without an article, such as in the phrase "he dropped an aside."

Adverb
1

on or to one side

"step aside"

"stood aside to let him pass"

"threw the book aside"

"put her sewing aside when he entered"

2

out of the way (especially away from one's thoughts)

"brush the objections aside"

"pushed all doubts away"

3

not taken into account or excluded from consideration

"these problems apart, the country is doing well"

"all joking aside, I think you're crazy"

4

in a different direction

"turn aside"

"turn away one's face"

"glanced away"

5

placed or kept separate and distinct as for a purpose

"had a feeling of being set apart"

"quality sets it apart"

"a day set aside for relaxing"

6

in reserve; not for immediate use

"started setting aside money to buy a car"

"put something by for her old age"

"has a nest egg tucked away for a rainy day"

7

To or on one side so as to be out of the way.

"She moved the stack of papers aside to make room for her laptop."

In plain English: Aside means moving to the side so you are not part of the main action or conversation.

"She sat aside to let others pass through the narrow doorway."

Usage: Use aside to indicate moving something or someone to one side to clear a path or remove an obstacle. It often appears in phrases like "move aside" or "set it aside" to emphasize getting out of the way.

Postp
1

aside from

"Aside from the heavy rain, it was a wonderful day at the beach."

Example Sentences
"She sat aside to let others pass through the narrow doorway." adv
"He set his coffee cup aside on the table." noun
"He kept his change in a small aside of coins until he found an ATM." noun
"The manager decided to put the controversial topic aside for later discussion during the meeting." noun
"We need to set this difficult issue aside so we can focus on solving the budget problems first." noun
See Also
collateral allocate aside from shy ward off jostle askey preallocate
Related Terms
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
actor's line message

Origin

The word "aside" comes from the Middle English phrase on side, which literally meant "on the side." It entered modern usage as a shortened form of this older expression, similar in structure to the related word "beside."

Rhyming Words
ide aide wide tide vide gide pide eide fide bide nide side cide hide ride wride amide guide bride elide
Compare
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