besides — English Dictionary

Preposition

1. In addition to.

   Antonyms

   aside

   Examples

   Besides José, I'll invite Jay and Renée, the three of them.

   More examples (1)

   During the whole time of his abode in the university he generally spent thirteen hours of the day in study; by which assiduity besides an exact dispatch of the whole course of philosophy, he read over in a manner all classic authors that are extant […]

2. Other than; except for; instead of.

   Examples

   I don't want to go anywhere besides India.

   I want to go with someone besides my father.

3. Beside, next to.

   Usage

   • Informal

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   1561, Geneva Bible, Acts 16:13, And on the Sabbath day, we went out of the citie, beſides a riuer, where they were wont to pray : and we ſate downe, and ſpake vnto the women, which were come together.

   After this, was Edwin the Kings brother accuſed of ſome conſpiracie by him begun againſt the K. whervpõ he was baniſhed the land, and ſent out in an old rotten veſſell without rower or Marriner, onely accompanied with one Eſquire, ſo that beeing launched foorth from the ſhore, through very diſpaire Edwin lept into the Sea, and drowned himſelfe, but the Eſquire that was with him recouered his body, and broughte it to land at Withſand beſides Canterbury.

   Beſides them both, vpon the ſoiled gras / The dead corſe of an armed knight was ſpred, […]

Adverb

1. Also; in addition.

   Usage

   • conjunctive
   • not-comparable

   Examples

   We've paid for your whole education and plenty more besides!

   It is besides used as a food, either as a sallad^([sic]), raw, or boiled as greens.

   More examples (2)

   This was but one of Cluny’s hiding-places; he had caves, besides, and underground chambers in several parts of his country; and following the reports of his scouts, he moved from one to another as the soldiers drew near or moved away.

   In the end, Chelsea's organisation and discipline was rewarded but Di Matteo knows they will have to produce the same - and more besides - in the Nou Camp to confirm a meeting with either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the final in Munich next month.

2. Used to emphasize an additional point, especially an important or stronger reason; moreover; furthermore.

   Usage

   • conjunctive
   • not-comparable

   Examples

   I don't feel like going out tonight. Besides, I have to work tomorrow morning anyway.

3. Otherwise; else.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   I have been to Spain but nowhere besides.

4. On one side.

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • Obsolete

   Examples

   You are so strongly in my purpose bred That all the world besides methinks are dead

   Yet Teucer would another shaft, at Hectors life dispose; So faine, he such a marke would hit: but still besides it goes;

Adverb

1. making an additional point; anyway

   Synonyms

   in any case

   Examples

   I don't want to go to a restaurant; besides, we can't afford it

   she couldn't shelter behind him all the time and in any case he wasn't always with her

2. in addition

   Synonyms

   tooalsolikewiseas well

   Examples

   he has a Mercedes, too