The AI-powered English dictionary
Separate from the main course of a meal. quotations examples
Shish kebab is skewered lamb with rice on the side.
1945 June 4, Robert De Roos, “San Francisco Chef”, in Life, page 56
Stir sage and the remaining unsalted butter into the sauce and serve it in a bowl on the side.
2004, Frédéric Couton, The Cannery Seafood House Cookbook, page 77
Supplementary or in addition to one's usual job or income. quotations examples
You don't want to jeopardize your primary source of income or any savings you've socked away in your effort to boost your earnings on the side.
1979 November, “Beef up your job to beat inflation”, in Kipplinger's Personal Finance, page 10
Borg has graying black hair and is trimly built, fit from a lifetime of hard work maintaining gas pipelines while trapping on the side.
December 2020, Tim Folger, “North America’s most valuable resource is at risk”, in National Geographic
Additional, surreptitious; often with a connotation of dishonesty, illegality or adultery. quotations examples
I shouted to make sure she knew that I wasn't just some ho on the side. If anyone was on the side, it was her.
2009, Carl Weber, Up to No Good, page 158