side street

Meaning

A side street is a minor, quieter road that branches off a main road, typically located in a residential or commercial area. These streets usually have less traffic and lower speed limits. They are ideal for finding parking or taking a quieter route through a busy city.

Examples

• We managed to find a free parking spot on a quiet side street near the museum.

  We managed to find a free parking spot on a quiet side street near the museum.

• The cozy little Italian restaurant is tucked away on a narrow side street.

  The cozy little Italian restaurant is tucked away on a narrow side street.

• Avoid the main highway and take the side streets if you want a more scenic walk.

  Avoid the main highway and take the side streets if you want a more scenic walk.

• A delivery truck was blocking the side street, so we had to back up.

  A delivery truck was blocking the side street, so we had to back up.

• Most of the shops on the main road were closed, but we found a lovely cafe on a side street.

  Most of the shops on the main road were closed, but we found a lovely cafe on a side street.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I parked my car in a secondary street.

  ✓ I parked my car on a side street.

  Secondary street sounds like urban planning jargon. Side street is the natural, conversational term used by native speakers.

• ✗ The hotel is located in a lateral street.

  ✓ The hotel is located on a side street.

  Lateral street is a literal translation from other languages. In English, we use side street to describe a road branching off a main one.

Related Expressions

Practice

• It's much quieter to walk down a ___ than along the noisy highway.

  💡 A smaller, quieter road branching off a main one.

  Show answer

  side street

• We found a charming local pub hidden away on a narrow ___.

  💡 A minor street off the main thoroughfare.

  Show answer

  side street