besides
preposition
UK/bɪˈsaɪdz/US/bɪˈsaɪdz/
In addition to or apart from someone or something; as well as something else already mentioned.
Example Sentences
Besides the main course, they also served a variety of side dishes.
There's nothing much we can do besides wait for the official announcement.
No one else volunteered for the role, so besides you, there really is no one else available for the job.
He decided to take an online course besides attending his regular university classes.
Besides finishing your homework, you should also prepare a short presentation for tomorrow’s class.
She found an old album in the attic, and besides the nostalgic photographs of relatives, it also contained forgotten letters and postcards from her grandparents’ travels across Europe.
The instructions for assembling the bookshelf were quite straightforward; besides, it came with step-by-step diagrams that made the entire process remarkably easy to follow.
They wanted to invite a few more people to the party besides their closest friends.
Thesaurus
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adverb
UK/bɪˈsaɪdz/US/bɪˈsaɪdz/
Moreover; furthermore; in any case. Used to introduce an additional point or to reinforce a statement.
Example Sentences
I have no desire to watch that film; besides, I’ve already seen it once.
I can’t help you with your computer right now. Besides, it’s almost time for me to leave.
He’s a great candidate for the job, and besides, he already knows the work culture here.
I’ve got to clean the garage this weekend. Besides, I promised my neighbor I would help him move some furniture on Saturday.
It’s a great restaurant; besides, their prices are reasonable for such quality meals.
He’s not really interested in traveling; besides, he doesn’t have the budget for a holiday this year.
We’d better hurry; besides, we have a reservation in twenty minutes, and we don’t want to lose our table.
The lecture was quite interesting, and besides, they served refreshments at the end for everyone to enjoy.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
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How to Use
A preposition or adverb adding another factor or emphasizing an alternative point.“Besides” can function either as a preposition or an adverb. As a preposition, it often means “in addition to” or “apart from,” as in “Besides math, I’m also studying biology.” It highlights something extra or outside the main topic. As an adverb, it can mean “furthermore” or “anyway,” as in “I can’t attend the party; besides, I won’t know anyone there.” This usage adds a supportive or explanatory note reinforcing a point. In everyday conversation, you might say, “I don’t want to go; besides, it’s too late,” implying another reason for your stance. Whether you’re focusing on an additional item (“Besides our friends, several neighbors came over”) or providing an extra argument (“I’m too busy; besides, I’m not interested”), “besides” works best for stacking on further arguments, reasons, or pieces of information. Used sparingly, it offers a neat way to signal added points without repeating “and also,” giving your statement variety and clarity.
Alternatives
To vary your language, you might replace “besides” with synonyms or related phrases, depending on context. “In addition to” suits more formal or written contexts when highlighting extra elements—“In addition to French, he speaks Spanish.” “Apart from” also emphasizes a distinction—“Apart from the main course, we’ll offer appetizers.” If you’re moving on to a fresh argument, adverbs like “furthermore,” “moreover,” or “also” fit, each slightly shifting emphasis. “On top of that” is looser and more casual, while “beyond that” feels moderately formal. Each alternative preserves the sense of adding information or stepping into a secondary reason or item, but choose carefully to match the tone—“furthermore” or “moreover” might be too stiff for casual conversation, while “on top of that” might be too informal for academic writing.
Writing
When using “besides” in writing, ensure it flows naturally and clearly signals you’re appending or contrasting another point. As a preposition—“Besides the historical data, we must consider new survey results”—you list something additional to what was already mentioned. As an adverb—“We’re short on budget; besides, time is running out”—it supports or reinforces the previous statement with a secondary argument or note. In formal texts, you might lean on “in addition to” or “furthermore,” though “besides” remains perfectly acceptable if used with care. Keep an eye on transitions: too many “besides” in a paragraph can feel repetitive, so you might alternate with “moreover” or “additionally.” In essays or articles, couple “besides” with evidence or examples, clarifying how this extra point bolsters your main argument—“We must maintain the current policy; besides, the data shows it’s working.” By varying position (beginning, middle, or near the end of a sentence) and ensuring context clarity, “besides” can effectively strengthen a stance or highlight extra info.
Casual Conversation
In everyday speech, “besides” quickly throws in added points or reasons: “I can’t go to the concert; besides, I have work in the morning.” It’s a handy connector when explaining a decision—“I’m not hungry, and besides, I just ate an hour ago.” You might slip it in casually when you realize you have one more argument or remark—“Let’s order pizza. Besides, I don’t feel like cooking.” It suggests an offhand or last-minute reason, often capping a short, conversational explanation. If you’re joking around, it can appear in comedic timing—“Sure, that plan’s great. Besides, what could possibly go wrong?” In general, “besides” in casual conversation highlights an extra factor in a relaxed, breezy way, making it an easy alternative to simply saying “and also…” or “plus.”
Etymology
“Besides” merges the prefix “be-” (from Old English, often indicating ‘by’ or ‘about’) with “sides,” tracing to Middle English usage of “besides” or “beside” meaning ‘by the side of,’ ‘near,’ or ‘beyond.’ Early on, “beside” or “by-side” denoted a literal physical position next to something. Over time, this extended figurative sense to include something ‘in addition to’ or ‘apart from,’ forming “besides.” By Early Modern English, “besides” was firmly entrenched for referencing extra elements or alternative arguments alongside primary points. Its transformation from describing physical proximity (“beside the house”) to abstract additions or reasons (“besides this, we found more evidence”) underscores English’s flexibility in repurposing directional or locational terms as connectors for logic and discourse. Now, “besides” is a staple for linking secondary or supporting statements, bridging the centuries between literal adjacency and conceptual add-ons.
