prep
besides
bih-SYDZ
prep
1
In addition to; apart from.
"Besides English, she speaks French and Italian."
adv
1
Used to add an extra, often more persuasive, reason or point.
"I don't want to go out tonight; besides, I have work in the morning."
How to Use Besides
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAdds extra information or a further reason, either as "in addition to X" or as a connecting word meaning "and another thing."
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "beside," which means physically next to something.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
besides that
besides which
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_____ English, she speaks French and Italian.
Etymology
An extension of "beside" with an adverbial "-s" ending, from Middle English bisides.