Sideways means moving or positioned toward one side rather than forward, backward, up, or down. When a crab scuttles sideways across the beach, it moves left or right instead of straight ahead. When you turn your head sideways, you're looking to the left or right instead of facing forward.

The word describes an unusual angle or direction. Rain falling sideways during a windstorm comes at you from the side instead of dropping straight down. A car sliding sideways on ice has lost traction and isn't moving in the direction it's pointed. When you give someone a sideways glance, you're looking at them from the corner of your eye without turning your whole head.

Sideways can also describe things going wrong or off track. If someone says a plan went sideways, they mean it didn't work out as expected. When a conversation goes sideways, it shifts into uncomfortable or unproductive territory. A student might worry their science experiment could go sideways if they mix the wrong chemicals.

The word captures that sense of something happening at an unexpected angle, whether literally (like parking sideways in a space) or figuratively (like when your day goes sideways after you sleep through your alarm).