besides

English Online Dictionary. What means besides‎? What does besides mean?

English

Etymology

From Middle English bisides (also bisiden), extension of biside, equivalent to beside +‎ -s (adverbial suffix).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /bɪˈsaɪdz/
• (US) IPA^(key): /bɪˈsaɪdz/, /bəˈsaɪdz/, /biˈsaɪdz/
• Rhymes: -aɪdz

Preposition

besides

1. In addition to.
   • 1661, John Fell, “The Life of the most learned, reverend and pious Dr. H. Hammond”, quoted in Ecclesiastical Biography by Christopher Wordsworth, fourth edition, volume IV, London: Francis & John Rivington (1853):

     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.

3. (now informal) Beside, next to.
   • 1561, Geneva Bible, Acts 16:13,^{The Geneva Bible#page/n1075}

     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.

Synonyms

• (in addition): beyond, on top of; see also Thesaurus:in addition to
• (other than): barring, save for; see also Thesaurus:except

Derived terms

Translations

Adverb

besides (not comparable)

1. (conjunctive) Also; in addition.
2. (conjunctive) Used to emphasize an additional point, especially an important or stronger reason; moreover; furthermore.

3. Otherwise; else.

4. (obsolete) On one side.

Translations

See also

• on top of that
• beside

References

• “besides”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.