aside

aside — adverb

1. in a position or direction that is away from the centre of where you are, often

1.adverbB2
Definition

in a position or direction that is away from the centre of where you are, often so that other people or things can pass.

Example

Sami stepped aside to let the elderly woman push her trolley through the doorway.

step aside + to-infinitive (make room)

The nurse gently pulled the curtain aside so the children could see their grandmother.

pull [object] aside (move out of the way)

Common collocations
  • step aside
  • move aside
  • pull aside
  • stand aside
  • take someone aside
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

verb + aside (step / move / pull / stand)

Usage Note

Almost always follows a verb of motion (step, move, pull, push, stand, draw). Distinguish from sense 4 (EXCEPT FOR), which always appears as 'X aside' at the start of a clause.

Common Mistakes

He moved the chair beside.
He moved the chair aside.
'beside' means next to something; 'aside' means out of the central path.

2. kept separate from what you are using now so that you can use it later for a cho

2.adverbB2
Definition

kept separate from what you are using now so that you can use it later for a chosen purpose, especially money, time, or stock.

Example

Uri sets aside two hundred dollars from each paycheck for her daughter's piano lessons.

set aside [money] for [purpose]

The bakery puts aside three loaves every morning for the local food bank.

put aside [items] for [recipient]

Common collocations
  • set aside money
  • put aside savings
  • lay aside time
  • set aside funds
Synonyms
  • save

    single verb; covers money but not the broader 'reserve' meaning

  • reserve

    more formal; common in shop and hotel contexts

Antonyms
  • spend

    for money objects only

Grammar Patterns

set / put / lay aside + money or resource

Usage Note

Object is typically money, time, food, or stock — something tangible that can be reserved. Verb is usually 'set', 'put', or 'lay'. Distinguish from sense 3, which takes abstract objects like worries or differences.

Common Mistakes

I aside fifty dollars every week.
I set aside fifty dollars every week.
'aside' is an adverb, not a verb; it must follow a verb such as 'set' or 'put'.

3. stopping yourself from thinking about a feeling, problem, or disagreement so tha

3.adverbB2
Definition

stopping yourself from thinking about a feeling, problem, or disagreement so that you can focus on something else, usually only for the moment.

Example

The two sisters set aside their argument about the wedding when their mother fell ill.

set aside [conflict] (temporarily ignore)

Dr. Aiko asked the team to put aside their fear and focus on the patient in front of them.

put aside + emotion noun

Common collocations
  • set aside differences
  • put aside doubts
  • leave aside the question
  • cast aside fears
Synonyms
  • ignore

    stronger and often permanent; 'set aside' suggests only for now

  • shelve

    informal; usually for plans rather than feelings

  • disregard

    formal; suggests deliberate dismissal

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

set / put / leave / cast aside + abstract noun

Usage Note

Object is abstract: doubts, differences, feelings, questions, problems. Often signals a temporary pause, not permanent rejection. Distinguish from sense 2, which takes concrete objects like money or stock.

Common Mistakes

Let's put aside her, the others all agreed.
Setting her aside, the others all agreed.
when meaning 'except for', use sense 4's '[noun] aside' construction, not 'put aside'.

4. a way of saying that one thing should not be counted, so that what follows in th

4.adverbB2
Definition

a way of saying that one thing should not be counted, so that what follows in the sentence is true about everything else.

Example

Jokes aside, we really do need a new heating system before winter arrives.

[noun] aside introducing a serious turn

The slow service aside, our dinner at the harbour restaurant was wonderful.

[complaint] aside, [positive evaluation]

Common collocations
  • jokes aside
  • joking aside
  • cost aside
  • that aside
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

[noun phrase] aside, [main clause]

Usage Note

Always sits AFTER the noun it relates to and at the start of a clause: '[noun] aside, …'. Distinguish from sense 1 (TO THE SIDE), which sits after a verb of motion.

Common Mistakes

Aside the price, the car is great.
Price aside, the car is great.
the noun comes BEFORE 'aside', not after; for the 'except for' meaning use 'aside from' if the noun must come second.

aside — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All three adverbs describe moving something out of a central position, but they differ in direction and reason. 'Aside' suggests a small sideways shift, usually to clear a path or give privacy: you step aside, pull a curtain aside, or take a player aside for a quiet word. 'Apart' stresses separation between things, often equal: the twins were placed apart at the test, or two arguing friends were kept apart. 'Away' is the most general — it means to or at a distance, with no fixed direction: walk away, throw it away, drive away. So a librarian moves the cart aside (out of the lane), keeps loud children apart (separated), and tells noisy teens to walk away (leave the area).

aside ↗apart ↗away ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

Prepositions

  • aside from

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

Aside formed in Middle English from 'a-' (an old preposition meaning 'on' or 'to') joined with the noun 'side'. The earliest sense was simply 'to or on one side', describing physical position. From the 1500s onwards, English speakers extended it to figurative uses: keeping money or time 'aside' for later, and theatre writers borrowed the word for a remark spoken so the other characters do not hear. The 'except for' use, as in 'jokes aside', developed last and now sits firmly after a noun.