side quest

en
en
Change language
Translating...
Find language
עברית
Hebrew
தமிழ்
Tamil
Français
French
Español
Spanish
Deutsch
German
/ˈsaɪd ˈkwɛst/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
A secondary activity that diverts from the main goal, often used in gaming or everyday talk to describe optional or distracting tasks.

Examples

  • During the meeting, she suggested a side quest to explore a new marketing idea.
  • When the project stalled, the team took a side quest to prototype a different feature.
  • In the RPG, the side quest required finding a hidden artifact.
  • He spent the weekend on a side quest, learning how to bake sourdough.
  • She treats her hobby as a side quest, a fun diversion from her day job.

Similar words

auxiliary activity
bonus mission
detour
extra mission
secondary task
off‑track activity
optional task

Meanings

Usage

Choose side quest when referring to an optional or unrelated activity, especially in gaming or informal contexts.

Common mistakes

Calling a main task a side quest drops the nuance of it being optional.

Etymology

FAQ

What does “side quest” mean?

It refers to a secondary or optional activity that is unrelated to the main objective.

Is “side quest” only used in video games?

While it originated in gaming, the phrase is now used in everyday language for any optional task.

Can “side quest” be used at work?

Yes, it can describe a minor project or diversion that runs alongside the primary work goal.

How is a side quest different from a side project?

A side quest is usually informal and optional, whereas a side project often implies a more serious, planned effort.

What is the opposite of a side quest?

There is no direct opposite; the closest concept is a main or primary task.

When should I use “side quest” in a sentence?

Use it when you want to highlight an optional or distracting activity that runs alongside a main goal.

Does “side quest” have a plural form?

Yes, the plural is “side quests.”

Where did the phrase “side quest” originate?

The phrase first appeared in video‑game terminology in the early 2000s to label optional missions.

Comments & contributions

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Posting as a guest · Sign in
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.
Look up word or phrase...