edgeways
edgeways Lexical Profile
edgeways Game Scores & Validity
• adverb
British Into a conversation where another person is talking almost continuously (used chiefly in the phrase 'get a word in edgeways').
"He spoke so enthusiastically about his trip that nobody else could get a word in edgeways."
British With the edge or narrowest side facing forward, outward, or uppermost; sideways.
"We had to turn the dining table edgeways to maneuver it through the narrow hallway."
• adjective
British Positioned, facing, or moving with the narrowest side or edge forward or outward.
"A quick edgeways movement allowed the cat to slip past the closing gate."
Word Nuance & Usage
While "edgeways" and "edgewise" are interchangeable, "edgeways" is significantly more common in British English—especially in the idiom "get a word in edgeways"—whereas "edgewise" is preferred in American English.
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the 16th century from the noun "edge" (from Old English ecg) combined with the adverbial suffix "-ways" (a genitive form of "way"), indicating position or direction.