Side-eye
Popular/ˈsaɪd aɪ/
QUICK MEANING
Disapproving or suspicious glance
A sideways look from the corners of the eyes that signals doubt, annoyance, criticism, suspicion or disbelief.
EXAMPLE“She gave me the side-eye when I said I had finished the whole project in ten minutes.”
ALSO WRITTEN AS
DETAILED EXPLANATION
Side-eye is a look made from the corner of the eyes that communicates suspicion, disbelief, annoyance, criticism or disapproval without saying anything. Online, the term can also be used figuratively: someone may “side-eye” a strange claim, decision or behaviour even when no literal glance occurs. The expression is much older than social media, but the “bombastic side eye” meme gave it renewed popularity on TikTok in 2023.
OTHER POSSIBLE MEANINGS
Disapproving or suspicious glance
A sideways look from the corners of the eyes that signals doubt, annoyance, criticism, suspicion or disbelief.
Example: “She gave me the side-eye when I said I had finished the whole project in ten minutes.”View something skeptically
To react to a person, claim or decision with doubt or criticism, even when no literal eye movement is involved.
Example: “People are side-eyeing the new rule because nobody explained why it was introduced.”Meme reaction
An exaggerated judging reaction associated with the phrase “bombastic side eye,” commonly used in videos, captions and jokes.
Example: “That excuse deserves a bombastic side eye.”REGIONAL TREND SNAPSHOT
How current is “Side-eye”?
Scores are SlangCheck editorial research snapshots and are not live search-volume measurements.
EDITORIAL RESEARCH
Reviewed entry
Major dictionaries define side-eye as a sidelong glance expressing suspicion, scorn, criticism, curiosity, doubt or disapproval. Written examples date to at least 1797, with broader mainstream use increasing during the 2000s. The phrase received renewed social-media attention through the “bombastic side eye” TikTok trend in 2023. The meaning is global and well established. Regional trend scores are editorial estimates rather than live search-volume measurements.