Side Eye

What is side eye?

A disapproving glance

Side eye is a subtle, often shady look of disapproval, skepticism, or judgment. It’s that quick glance from the corner of the eye that says “Really?” without a word being spoken (moms have long been masters of the move).

People may use the term to refer to someone making a questionable fashion choice or telling a questionable story. It’s more dramatic than a regular look but less aggressive than a full-on stare, perfect for when someone deserves a little shade but not a full confrontation.

The term has deep roots in Black culture and African American Vernacular English (AAVE), with widespread recognition dating back to early 2000s pop culture and meme culture. Over time, it’s been popularized through viral videos, Twitter, reality TV (e.g., The Real Housewives), and especially TikTok.

Example

Did you see Jenna trying to explain why she was late again?
Yeah… talking about traffic when she lives five minutes away? I gave her the biggest side eye
Same. I didn’t even need to say anything—just hit her with that look

Do not make Cookie mad or she will side eye you to death

Related Slang

Categories

Updated June 25, 2025

Side eye definition by Slang.net - The Slang Dictionary

This page explains what the slang term "Side eye" means. The definition, example, and related terms listed above have been manually compiled and written by the Slang.net team.

We are continually updating our database with new slang terms, acronyms, and abbreviations. Want to suggest a new term or an update to this page? Let us know!