1. remarks made quietly to someone nearby, not intended for others to hear
2. comments or remarks that digress from the main topic
3. in theater, words spoken by an actor directly to the audience, supposedly unheard by other characters
Usage: theatrical

Examples

• She made several asides to her friend during the boring lecture.
• The speaker’s frequent asides made it hard to follow his main argument.
• Their whispered asides during the meeting were distracting.
• The comedian’s asides to the audience were funnier than his prepared jokes.
• In Shakespeare’s plays, asides reveal characters’ true thoughts.
• His asides about the weather interrupted the serious discussion.
• The actor delivered his asides with perfect timing.