Aside Meaning
Aside Definition & Usage
To one side; away from the main area or action, usually to allow something to pass or create space.
Examples
- "She stepped aside to let the car pass."
- "The waiter asked us to move aside so he could clear the table."
- "He moved aside from the crowd to take a phone call."
- "The actor stepped aside during the rehearsal to let the director speak."
- "The children were told to move aside as the parade passed through the street."
A brief or incidental remark made outside of the main conversation, often for side discussions or private thoughts.
Examples
- "He made a quick aside about the upcoming holiday plans."
- "During the meeting, she had an aside with the project manager about the budget."
- "The speaker’s aside was meant to add humor to the presentation."
- "John’s aside about his experience in the field was insightful, though not directly related."
- "The book included many asides that added layers to the main narrative."
A speech or remark made by a character in a play or performance that is not heard by other characters but is intended for the audience.
Examples
- "The actor delivered a poignant aside to the audience, revealing the character's true intentions."
- "In Shakespeare’s plays, many characters use asides to share their thoughts with the audience."
- "Her aside was brief but added dramatic tension to the scene."
- "The aside in the comedy lightened the mood after a tense moment."
- "The use of asides in this play is clever, making the audience feel involved."
Cultural Context
The term 'aside' comes from the Old French phrase 'à côté', meaning 'to one side', and has been used in various contexts since the Middle Ages. It is commonly found in both everyday conversation and literary or theatrical language, with its theatrical meaning being notably popularized in the works of William Shakespeare.
The Silent Witness
Story
The Silent Witness
Samantha stood at the edge of the busy café, sipping her coffee while watching the bustling crowd. People moved in and out of the narrow door, each one weaving between tables, making space for the next person. At one point, a man with a large suitcase tried to squeeze through, and she quickly stepped aside to let him pass, giving him a friendly smile as he muttered a quick 'thank you'. Just then, her friend Emily, who was sitting at a nearby table, leaned in. 'Did you hear about the new exhibit at the museum?' she asked in a hushed voice, her eyes scanning the room. 'I’m telling you, it’s going to be spectacular.' The tone of her voice was more like a private aside than a full conversation, as if they were sharing a secret moment. Samantha smiled knowingly, appreciating Emily’s enthusiasm. As they chatted, Samantha’s attention drifted back to the people around her. A man at a nearby table made an aside to his companion, commenting on the artist who had just walked in, 'I think his style is overrated.' Samantha overheard but didn’t comment; it wasn’t her place. She let the words wash over her, an incidental remark in the sea of conversations. Later, when the café started to clear out, a group of actors arrived for an audition. One of them, a woman with sharp eyes and a quick wit, gave a playful aside to the director as she passed by. 'If you want a good performance, you might want to check the script again.' The director chuckled, nodding as if acknowledging the truth behind her words, though he didn’t respond directly. It was a theatrical aside, meant only for those who were paying attention, and Samantha found herself intrigued by the subtext of their interactions. The day passed, and as the last patrons left the café, Samantha reflected on the little asides she had overheard. Each one had added a layer to the otherwise ordinary afternoon, from the quiet movements to the personal remarks that made the world feel a bit more intimate.
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