Alongside is a word that is commonly used in English language. It is a preposition that is used to describe the position of something that is next to or in close proximity to something else. The word alongside has a variety of meanings and uses that are important to understand in order to use it correctly.
Definitions
The word alongside is defined as “by the side of; close to; next to” by the Oxford English Dictionary. Merriam-Webster defines it as “along or by the side” while Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “next to, or together with”. These definitions all convey the same basic meaning, that something is positioned beside or near something else.
Origin
The word alongside has its roots in Old English, where it was spelled “anlanges”. It is a combination of the words “an” meaning “on” or “at” and “langes” meaning “length”. Over time, the word evolved to its current spelling and meaning.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of alongside is consistent across most dictionaries. It is generally defined as being next to or in close proximity to something else.
Associations
The word alongside is often used in conjunction with other prepositions such as “by” or “with”. It is also commonly used in nautical contexts to describe the position of a boat or ship next to a dock or another vessel.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for alongside include beside, next to, adjacent to, and near.
Antonyms
Some antonyms for alongside include far away, distant, and separate.
The same root words
The word alongside has no root words, but it is derived from the Old English words “an” and “langes”.
Example Sentences
- The car was parked alongside the curb.
- The boat was docked alongside the pier.
- The two friends walked alongside each other down the street.
- The cat sat alongside the window, watching the birds outside.
- The new building was built alongside the old one.