Side vs. Size — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 24, 2024
Side refers to a position or direction relative to an object, while size denotes the magnitude or dimensions of an object.
Difference Between Side and Size
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The term "side" primarily refers to a particular position or aspect of something, often used to describe the relative location or a specific part of an object or concept. For example, when discussing a geometric shape, the side might refer to one of its bounding lines or faces. On the other hand, "size" denotes the overall dimensions, volume, or extent of an object, and is a key descriptor for quantifying physical space or capacity, such as the size of a room or the size of clothing.
While "side" can also imply a perspective or standpoint in discussions, debates, or conflicts, indicating alignment or affiliation with a particular group or argument, "size" is a more objective measure, often requiring numerical values to specify dimensions such as length, width, height, or volume. This distinction highlights "side" as more abstract in certain contexts, whereas "size" remains a concrete attribute.
In geometry and spatial discussions, "side" helps to describe the boundaries and shape of objects, crucial for understanding their structure and spatial orientation. In contrast, "size" is indispensable for comparisons, scaling, and understanding the scope or capacity of spaces and objects, impacting everything from architectural planning to fitting clothes.
In social or conceptual contexts, "side" can denote affiliation or a specific aspect of an issue, as in "taking sides" in a debate. This usage underscores the term's versatility beyond physical dimensions, extending into metaphorical and relational realms. Meanwhile, "size" in such contexts might metaphorically refer to the extent or significance of an issue, maintaining its quantitative essence even in figurative speech.
"Side" and "size" both play significant roles in communication, with "side" often enriching descriptions with relational or positional clarity, and "size" providing a basis for quantification and comparison. The appropriate use of each term can greatly enhance clarity and precision in both everyday language and specialized discourse.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Refers to a particular position or aspect of something, often a part of an object or a perspective in a discussion.
Denotes the overall dimensions, volume, or magnitude of an object.
Contexts
Used in spatial, geometric, and abstract discussions to denote position, direction, or perspective.
Used to quantify physical dimensions and capacities, essential in comparisons and measurements.
Abstract vs. Concrete
Can be abstract, especially when referring to perspectives or affiliations.
Primarily concrete, focusing on measurable attributes.
Function in Language
Enhances descriptions with relational or positional clarity, adding depth to spatial and metaphorical discussions.
Provides a basis for quantification, comparison, and understanding scope, crucial in practical and theoretical contexts.
Examples
Describing a face of a cube, a viewpoint in an argument, or a flank in sports.
Specifying the height of a building, the length of a vehicle, or the capacity of a container.
Compare with Definitions
Side
Refers to a group or team in a competition.
Which side are you supporting in the final match?
Size
The overall dimensions of an object.
The size of the new apartment was surprisingly spacious.
Side
A specific position or aspect of an object.
The sun cast shadows on the east side of the building.
Size
Used to describe the magnitude of something.
The project was of a size beyond what we initially anticipated.
Side
One of the bounding lines or faces of a shape.
Each side of a square is of equal length.
Size
Specifies clothing dimensions.
She wears a size medium in shirts.
Side
A perspective or stance in a debate.
She decided to take the side of the opposition in the argument.
Size
A measure of capacity or volume.
This bottle has a size of 2 liters.
Side
Can indicate a direction relative to an observer.
The cafe is just down the road, on the left side.
Size
Can indicate the extent of an area.
The size of the park makes it a perfect spot for picnics.
Side
A line bounding a plane figure.
Size
Size in general is the magnitude or dimensions of a thing. More specifically, geometrical size (or spatial size) can refer to linear dimensions (length, width, height, diameter, perimeter), area, or volume.
Side
A surface bounding a solid figure.
Size
The relative extent of something; a thing's overall dimensions or magnitude; how big something is
A forest the size of Wales
Firms of all sizes
The schools varied in size
Side
A surface of an object, especially a surface joining a top and bottom
The four sides of a box.
Size
Each of the classes, typically numbered, into which garments or other articles are divided according to how large they are
I can never find anything in my size
Side
A surface of an object that lies on the left or right of that object as viewed from the front or back
From the shore, I watched my friends dive off the side of the boat.
Size
A gelatinous solution used in glazing paper, stiffening textiles, and preparing plastered walls for decoration.
Side
Either of the two surfaces of a thin, flat object
The front side of a piece of paper.
Size
Alter or sort in terms of size or according to size
Twist drills are sized in millimetres
Side
The part within an object or area to the left or right of the observer or of its vertical axis.
Size
Estimate or measure something's dimensions
She was trying to size up a room with a tape measure
Side
The left or right half of the trunk of a human or animal body
Always sleeps on his side.
A side of beef.
Size
Treat with size to glaze or stiffen
Paper will adhere to sized walls better
Side
The space immediately next to someone
Stood at her father's side.
Size
Having a specified size; sized
Marble-size chunks of hail
Side
The space immediately next to something. Often used in combination
Courtside.
Dockside.
Size
The physical dimensions, proportions, magnitude, or extent of an object.
Side
One of two or more contrasted parts or places within an area, identified by its location with respect to a center
The north side of the park.
Size
Any of a series of graduated categories of dimension whereby manufactured articles, such as shoes and clothing, are classified.
Side
An area separated from another area by an intervening feature, such as a line or barrier
On this side of the Atlantic.
The district on the other side of the railroad tracks.
Size
Considerable extent, amount, or dimensions
A debt of enormous size.
Side
One of two or more opposing individuals, groups, teams, or sets of opinions.
Size
Relative amount or number, as of population or contents
What size is Cleveland?.
Side
One of the positions maintained in a dispute or debate.
Size
Character, value, or status with reference to relative importance or the capacity to meet given requirements
Try this proposal on for size.
Side
A distinct aspect
The shy side of his personality.
Size
The actual state of affairs
That's about the size of the situation.
Side
Line of descent
My aunt on my mother's side.
Size
Any of several gelatinous or glutinous substances usually made from glue, wax, or clay and used as a glaze or filler for porous materials such as paper, cloth, or wall surfaces.
Side
An incomplete script that shows the lines and cues of a single performer only.
Size
To arrange, classify, or distribute according to size.
Side
An incomplete script that shows only what is to be filmed on a specific day or shoot.
Size
To make, cut, or shape to a required size.
Side
Chiefly British In billiards, the spin given to a propelled ball by striking it off center.
Size
To treat or coat with size or a similar substance.
Side
Located on a side
A side door.
Size
Sized. Often used in combination
Bite-size appetizers.
An economy-size package.
Side
From or to one side; oblique
A side view.
Size
An assize.
Side
Minor; incidental
A side interest.
Size
(obsolete) A regulation determining the amount of money paid in fees, taxes etc.
Side
In addition to the main part; supplementary
A side benefit.
Size
(obsolete) A fixed standard for the magnitude, quality, quantity etc. of goods, especially food and drink.
Side
To provide sides or siding for
Side a frame house with aluminum.
Size
The dimensions or magnitude of a thing; how big something is.
The size of the building seemed to have increased since I was last there.
Side
To be positioned next to
A couch that is sided by low tables.
Size
(obsolete) A regulation, piece of ordinance.
Side
To align oneself in a disagreement
Sided with the conservatives in Congress.
Siding against the bill.
Size
A specific set of dimensions for a manufactured article, especially clothing.
I don't think we have the red one in your size.
Side
A bounding straight edge of a two-dimensional shape.
A square has four sides.
Size
(graph theory) A number of edges in a graph.
Side
A flat surface of a three-dimensional object; a face.
A cube has six sides.
Size
Degree of rank, ability, character, etc.
Side
One half (left or right, top or bottom, front or back, etc.) of something or someone.
Which side of the tray shall I put it on?
The patient was bleeding on the right side.
Size
An instrument consisting of a number of perforated gauges fastened together at one end by a rivet, used for measuring the size of pearls
Side
A region in a specified position with respect to something.
Meet me on the north side of the monument.
Size
A thin, weak glue used as primer for paper or canvas intended to be painted upon.
Side
The portion of the human torso usually covered by the arms when they are not raised; the areas on the left and right between the belly or chest and the back.
I generally sleep on my side.
Size
Wallpaper paste.
Side
One surface of a sheet of paper (used instead of "page", which can mean one or both surfaces.)
John wrote 15 sides for his essay!
Size
Any viscous substance, such as gilder's varnish.
Side
One possible aspect of a concept, person, or thing.
Look on the bright side.
Size
(transitive) To adjust the size of; to make a certain size.
Side
One set of competitors in a game.
Which side has kick-off?
Size
(transitive) To classify or arrange by size.
Side
A sports team.
Size
(military) To take the height of men, in order to place them in the ranks according to their stature.
Side
A group of morris dancers who perform together.
Size
(mining) To sift (pieces of ore or metal) in order to separate the finer from the coarser parts.
Side
A group having a particular allegiance in a conflict or competition.
In the Second World War, the Italians were on the side of the Germans until Italy switched sides in 1943.
Size
To approximate the dimensions, estimate the size of.
Side
(music) A recorded piece of music; a record, especially in jazz.
Size
(intransitive) To take a greater size; to increase in size.
Side
Sidespin; english
He had to put a bit of side on to hit the pink ball.
Size
To order food or drink from the buttery; hence, to enter a score, as upon the buttery book.
Side
A television channel, usually as opposed to the one currently being watched (from when there were only two channels).
I just want to see what's on the other side — James said there was a good film on tonight.
Size
To swell; to increase the bulk of.
Side
A dish that accompanies the main course; a side dish.
Do you want a side of cole-slaw with that?
Size
(transitive) To apply glue or other primer to a surface which is to be painted.
Side
A line of descent traced through a particular parent, as distinguished from that traced through another.
His mother's side of the family
Size
Six.
Side
(baseball) The batters faced in an inning by a particular pitcher.
Clayton Kershaw struck out the side in the 6th inning.
Size
A thin, weak glue used in various trades, as in painting, bookbinding, paper making, etc.
Side
An unjustified air of self-importance.
Size
Any viscous substance, as gilder's varnish.
Side
(drama) A written monologue or part of a scene to be read by an actor at an audition.
Size
A settled quantity or allowance. See Assize.
Side
A root.
Size
An allowance of food and drink from the buttery, aside from the regular dinner at commons; - corresponding to battel at Oxford.
Side
Being on the left or right, or toward the left or right; lateral.
Size
Extent of superficies or volume; bulk; bigness; magnitude; as, the size of a tree or of a mast; the size of a ship or of a rock.
Side
Indirect; oblique; incidental.
A side issue; a side view or remark
Size
Figurative bulk; condition as to rank, ability, character, etc.; as, the office demands a man of larger size.
Men of a less size and quality.
The middling or lower size of people.
Side
Wide; large; long, pendulous, hanging low, trailing; far-reaching.
Size
A conventional relative measure of dimension, as for shoes, gloves, and other articles made up for sale.
Side
(Scotland) Far; distant.
Size
An instrument consisting of a number of perforated gauges fastened together at one end by a rivet, - used for ascertaining the size of pearls.
Side
(intransitive) To ally oneself, be in an alliance, usually with "with" or rarely "in with"
Which will you side with, good or evil?
Size
To cover with size; to prepare with size.
Side
To lean on one side.
Size
To fix the standard of.
Side
To be or stand at the side of; to be on the side toward.
Size
To adjust or arrange according to size or bulk.
Side
To suit; to pair; to match.
Size
To swell; to increase the bulk of.
Side
To work (a timber or rib) to a certain thickness by trimming the sides.
Size
To bring or adjust anything exactly to a required dimension, as by cutting.
We had to size up our fellow legislators.
Side
(transitive) To furnish with a siding.
To side a house
Size
To take greater size; to increase in size.
Our desires give them fashion, and so,As they wax lesser, fall, as they size, grow.
Side
To provide with, as a side or accompaniment.
Size
To order food or drink from the buttery; hence, to enter a score, as upon the buttery book.
Side
To clear, tidy or sort.
Size
The physical magnitude of something (how big it is);
A wolf is about the size of a large dog
Side
Widely; wide; far.
Size
The property resulting from being one of a series of graduated measurements (as of clothing);
He wears a size 13 shoe
Side
The margin, edge, verge, or border of a surface; especially (when the thing spoken of is somewhat oblong in shape), one of the longer edges as distinguished from the shorter edges, called ends; a bounding line of a geometrical figure; as, the side of a field, of a square or triangle, of a river, of a road, etc.
Size
Any glutinous material used to fill pores in surfaces or to stiffen fabrics;
Size gives body to a fabric
Side
Any outer portion of a thing considered apart from, and yet in relation to, the rest; as, the upper side of a sphere; also, any part or position viewed as opposite to or contrasted with another; as, this or that side.
Looking round on every side beheldA pathless desert.
Size
The actual state of affairs;
That's the size of the situation
She hates me, that's about the size of it
Side
One of the halves of the body, of an animals or man, on either side of the mesial plane; or that which pertains to such a half; as, a side of beef; a side of sole leather.
One of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side.
Size
A large magnitude;
He blanched when he saw the size of the bill
The only city of any size in that area
Side
A slope or declivity, as of a hill, considered as opposed to another slope over the ridge.
Along the side of yon small hill.
Size
Cover or stiffen or glaze a porous material with size or sizing (a glutinous substance)
Side
The position of a person or party regarded as opposed to another person or party, whether as a rival or a foe; a body of advocates or partisans; a party; hence, the interest or cause which one maintains against another; a doctrine or view opposed to another.
God on our side, doubt not of victory.
We have not always been of the . . . same side in politics.
Sets the passions on the side of truth.
Size
Sort according to size
Side
A line of descent traced through one parent as distinguished from that traced through another.
To sit upon thy father David's throne,By mother's side thy father.
Size
Make to a size; bring to a suitable size
Side
Fig.: Aspect or part regarded as contrasted with some other; as, the bright side of poverty.
Size
(used in combination) sized;
The economy-size package
Average-size house
Side
Of or pertaining to a side, or the sides; being on the side, or toward the side; lateral.
One mighty squadron with a side wind sped.
Side
Hence, indirect; oblique; collateral; incidental; as, a side issue; a side view or remark.
The law hath no side respect to their persons.
Side
Long; large; extensive.
His gown had side sleeves down to mid leg.
To insure a side-box station at half price.
Side
To lean on one side.
Side
To embrace the opinions of one party, or engage in its interest, in opposition to another party; to take sides; as, to side with the ministerial party.
All side in parties, and begin the attack.
Side
To be or stand at the side of; to be on the side toward.
His blind eye that sided Paridell.
Side
To suit; to pair; to match.
Side
To work (a timber or rib) to a certain thickness by trimming the sides.
Side
To furnish with a siding; as, to side a house.
Side
A place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location;
They always sat on the right side of the church
He never left my side
Side
One of two or more contesting groups;
The Confederate side was prepared to attack
Side
Either the left or right half of a body;
He had a pain in his side
Side
An extended outer surface of an object;
He turned the box over to examine the bottom side
They painted all four sides of the house
Side
A surface forming part of the outside of an object;
He examined all sides of the crystal
Dew dripped from the face of the leaf
Side
A line segment forming part of the perimeter of a plane figure;
The hypotenuse of a right triangle is always the longest side
Side
An aspect of something (as contrasted with some other implied aspect);
He was on the heavy side
He is on the purchasing side of the business
It brought out his better side
Side
A family line of descent;
He gets his brains from his father's side
Side
A lengthwise dressed half of an animal's carcass used for food
Side
An opinion that is held in opposition to another in an argument or dispute;
There are two sides to every question
Side
An elevated geological formation;
He climbed the steep slope
The house was built on the side of the mountain
Side
(sports) the spin given to a ball by striking it on one side or releasing it with a sharp twist
Side
Take sides with; align oneself with; show strong sympathy for;
We all rooted for the home team
I'm pulling for the underdog
Are you siding with the defender of the title?
Side
Take the side of; be on the side of;
Whose side are you on?
Why are you taking sides with the accused?
Side
Located on a side;
Side fences
The side porch
The top shelf
Side
Added as a consequence or supplement;
A side benefit
Common Curiosities
How is "size" defined?
"Size" denotes the overall dimensions, volume, or magnitude of an object, important for quantifying and comparing physical spaces or items.
How do "side" and "size" differ in geometry?
In geometry, "side" refers to the bounding lines or faces of shapes, while "size" would describe the dimensional properties such as area or volume.
Is "size" important in everyday life?
"Size" is crucial in everyday contexts, from choosing clothing to assessing space for furniture, indicating its broad applicability.
What role does "size" play in planning and design?
"Size" is fundamental in planning and design, determining the scale of projects, fitting of components, and usage of spaces.
What does "side" refer to?
"Side" refers to a specific position, aspect, or direction of something, often used to describe spatial orientation or perspectives in discussions.
Is "size" always a numerical measure?
While "size" often involves numerical measurements, it can also be used qualitatively, especially in relative comparisons or descriptive language.
Can "side" be used in non-physical contexts?
Yes, "side" can denote perspectives or affiliations in debates or conflicts, extending its use beyond physical descriptions.
Can "side" imply affiliation?
Yes, "side" can indicate alignment or support for a particular group, team, or argument in various contexts.
How does "side" enhance spatial descriptions?
"Side" adds clarity to spatial descriptions by specifying positions or aspects, aiding in orientation and understanding of spatial relationships.
Can "side" and "size" be related in discussions?
Yes, they can be related, especially in design and spatial planning, where the orientation (side) and dimensions (size) are both critical considerations.
Does "side" have a directional component?
Yes, "side" often includes a directional component, indicating a spatial relation relative to an observer or reference point.
How does "side" relate to perspective in discussions?
"Side" denotes a viewpoint or stance in discussions or debates, highlighting the relational aspect of opinions and arguments.
How is "size" used in commerce?
In commerce, "size" is used to specify product dimensions, fitting sizes, and capacities, crucial for consumer decisions.
Is "size" subjective or objective?
"Size" is generally objective, based on measurable dimensions, though it can be perceived subjectively in relative comparisons.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
