besides
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for besides, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Prep — In addition to; apart from.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use besides
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
An extension of "beside" with an adverbial "-s" ending, from Middle English bisides.
Full origin of besides →Frequently asked questions
What does “besides” mean?
The word “besides” means in addition to; apart from. In plain terms, adds extra information or a further reason, either as "in addition to X" or as a connecting word meaning "and another thing.".
How do you pronounce “besides”?
“Besides” is pronounced bih-SYDZ (/bɪˈsaɪdz/ in IPA).
How do you use “besides” in a sentence?
Here is “besides” used in a sentence: “Besides English, she speaks French and Italian.”
What is another word for “besides”?
Words with a similar meaning to “besides” include on top of and save for.
What part of speech is “besides”?
Depending on how it is used, “besides” can be a preposition and an adverb.
Where does the word “besides” come from?
The word “besides” comes from Middle English. An extension of "beside" with an adverbial "-s" ending, from Middle English bisides.
Is “besides” a common word?
“Besides” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “besides” have?
“Besides” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in addition to; apart from.
What is the difference between besides and beside?
Beside means next to or at the side of something, describing a physical position: sit beside me. Besides means in addition to or apart from: besides the cost, it's too far. The extra 's' signals addition, not location. Mixing them up is one of the most common spelling slips in English.
Can besides start a sentence?
Yes. At the start of a sentence, besides works as an adverb meaning moreover or anyway, adding a further point: Besides, we can't afford it. As a preposition it means in addition to or apart from. Both uses are correct, though the sentence-opener feels slightly more informal and conversational.
What is an example of besides in a sentence?
Besides English, she speaks French and Japanese — here it means in addition to. It can also mean apart from: no one besides you knows the answer. The word always points to something extra or excluded, never to physical position, which is what beside handles.