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What Does “Side Eye” Mean on TikTok?

Published March 12, 2025

TikTok is where many new slang terms are created on a regular basis. One of these is ‘side eye’ and has been used by millions of users on the platform. This term has been used across the app, leading some to ask, “What does ‘side eye’ mean on TikTok?” We will tell you what this slang term means, as well as how it is used, along with something that is known as the Side Eye Challenge.

What Does ‘side Eye’ Mean on TikTok?

The term ‘side eye’ is referring to someone being judgemental towards another person or questioning their intentions. It is a negatively-oriented term casting judgement on others’ words or actions.

There is a facial expression that goes along with the Side Eye, which is looking to one side with both eyes and without any other expressions. Side Eye has been used in reaction videos as a way to respond and engage with content from other creators that is deemed worthy of casting critical judgement upon.

Whenever you see a comment referring to ‘Side Eye’ on TikTok, it is referring to a user being critical of a video in some capacity.

How ‘side Eye’ Is Used on TikTok

TikTok users often add the #sideeye hashtag to go along with the expression. Whether a person is looking at something they are watching out of the corner of their eye, or using the term in a comment, ‘side eye’ has become one of the go-to expressions and responses to content on TikTok.

The Side Eye Challenge

A few years ago marked the start of the Side Eye Challenge. This viral challenge involves prompting TikTok users what their side eye color is. The premise is that eye color is different when looked at from the side compared with head-on.

To perform the Side Eye Challenge, participants must do the following:

  1. Take a picture of their eye from the side
  2. Take a photo of their eye from the front
  3. Review and compare the eye color in each selfie

While you may not necessarily see a difference in color, it is likely there will be some slight changes in the pigmentation within your eyes. You can try the challenge and see if there is a difference in eye color for you.

Conclusion

Now that you know the answer to the question, “What does ‘side eye’ mean on TikTok?” you will no longer be in the dark concerning this viral term and trend on the popular social media app. You may even decide to get in on it and start doing the side eye in videos and within the video comments section.

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Written By:
AUTHOR & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Jessica is a consultant, researcher, and the editor-in-chief of the Buzzoid blog, who specializes in social media, marketing, and digital strategy. She is a graduate of Antioch College and earned her MBA at Boston College’s Carroll Graduate School of Management, specializing in STEM Management.

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