bedside
gb/bˈɛdsˌaɪd/ us/bˈɛdsˌaɪd/
B1
English
~ 7100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
the space next to a bed
The place right next to a bed, where a person can sit or stand.
Usage pattern:
at [someone]'s bedside
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "bedside" with "bedtime". "Bedside" is a place next to the bed, while "bedtime" is the time when you go to sleep. Another mistake is to say *"in the bedside"* instead of "at the bedside" or "by the bedside" when talking about location.
Synonyms
side of the bed (More literal and descriptive; lacks the common association with care for a sick person.)
Antonyms
away from the bed (Describes being at a distance, not in the immediate area next to the bed.)
Collocations
at her bedside
|sat by his bedside
|stand at my bedside
|bedside vigil
|wait at the bedside
|keep a bedside watch
Themes
daily life
|home
|health
|relationships
|housing
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She sat quietly at her grandmother’s bedside, holding her hand.
- The nurse checked on him every hour at his bedside.
- Family members kept a bedside vigil during his long illness.
- A small chair was placed at the bedside for visitors.
- He woke in the night to find the doctor standing at his bedside.
Learner examples
- Her mother sat at her bedside and talked softly.
- The doctor came to his bedside to check his heart.
- There is a chair at the bedside for family.
- He stayed at his father’s bedside all night.
- The nurse stood at my bedside and gave me water.
adjective
B1
relation
2
placed or used next to a bed
Next to the bed, or made for use when you are in bed.
Usage pattern:
bedside [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"table bedside"* instead of "bedside table" or use "bedside" alone as a noun for the piece of furniture (e.g., *"I put it on the bedside"*). In this sense, "bedside" is used before another noun: "bedside table", "bedside lamp", not usually by itself.
Synonyms
nightstand (Refers specifically to a small table next to a bed, not to all objects used beside the bed.)
Antonyms
wall-mounted (Describes something fixed on a wall rather than placed next to the bed; contrasts with movable bedside items.)
Collocations
bedside table
|bedside lamp
|bedside light
|bedside cabinet
|bedside clock
|bedside alarm
Themes
daily life
|home
|objects
|housing
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She turned off the bedside lamp and went to sleep.
- He keeps a glass of water on his bedside table.
- The alarm on his bedside clock went off at six.
- They bought matching bedside cabinets for the new bedroom.
- I plugged my phone into the bedside charger before going to bed.
Learner examples
- The book is on my bedside table.
- I turn on the bedside light to read.
- He keeps his phone on the bedside cabinet.
- There is a small bedside lamp in the hotel room.
- She puts her glasses on the bedside table at night.
Grammar
Dictionary form
bedside
IPA
GB/bˈɛdsˌaɪd/
US/bˈɛdsˌaɪd/
Syllables & stress
bed - side (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (bed)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: bedside
Noun
- Base: bedside
- Plural: bedsides
Word family
Expressions
bedside manner
1/bˈɛdsˌaɪd mˈænɚ/
fixed phrase
a doctor's way of treating patients
The way a doctor or nurse speaks to and behaves with patients when they are giving care.
Examples
- The surgeon is very skilled, but his bedside manner can seem cold.
- Patients love her because she has such a warm bedside manner.
- Good bedside manner is important for building trust with patients.