Asides

/əˈsaɪdz/ noun, verb

Definition

Plural of 'aside': remarks or comments made in a low voice so others don't hear, or theatrical lines spoken directly to the audience; third-person singular present of the verb 'to aside'.

Etymology

From Old English 'on side' (on the side), which contracted to 'aside.' The plural simply adds '-s'. In theater, the 'aside' became a famous dramatic device especially popular in Elizabethan and Renaissance plays.

Kelly Says

Shakespeare made 'asides' famous—soliloquies where characters speak directly to the audience about their true thoughts! Today, we still use 'aside' for secrets, but theater lovers know it as one of drama's most powerful tools for revealing character motivation.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.