How to Pronounce Sidetrack

To pronounce "sidetrack", say SID-etr-ack — 3 syllables. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

sidetrack

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Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

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3

Syllables

9

Letters

SID-etr-ack

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💡 Tip for remembering “sidetrack”

"sidetrack" has 3 syllables: sid-etr-ack. It rhymes with crack and slack, if that helps it stick.

What does sidetrack mean?

noun

  1. A second, relatively short length of track just to the side of a railroad track, joined to the main track by switches at one or both ends, used either for unloading freight, or to allow two trains on a same track to meet (opposite directions) or pass (same direction); a railroad siding.
  2. (sometimes) Any auxiliary railroad track, as differentiated from a siding, that runs adjacent to the main track.

verb

  1. To divert (a locomotive or train) on to a lesser used track in order to allow other trains to pass.
  2. To divert or distract (someone) from a main issue or course of action with an alternate or less relevant topic or activity; or, to use deliberate trickery or sly wordplay when talking to (a person) in order to avoid discussion of a subject.

    “I hope you can sidetrack the teacher with questions so we don't have to take the exam.”

Synonyms

lay-byrailroad sidingsidingdigress

Hear “sidetrack” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with sidetrack

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

crackslackblacktrackhackrackbacksetbackclackattackflakfeedback

Related words

sidingdepartstraystraggledigressspurhighjackhijack

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "sidetrack"?▾

"Sidetrack" has 3 syllables: sid · etr · ack.

What does "sidetrack" mean?▾

Sidetrack: A second, relatively short length of track just to the side of a railroad track, joined to the main track by switches at one or both ends, used either for unloading freight, or to allow two trains on a same track to meet (opposite directions) or pass (same direction); a railroad siding.

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