besides

[ bih-sahydz ]

adverb

1. moreover; furthermore; also:

   Besides, I promised her we would come.

   Synonyms: further

2. in addition:

   There are three elm trees and two maples besides.

3. otherwise; else:

   They had a roof over their heads but not much besides.

preposition

1. over and above; in addition to:

   Besides a mother he has a sister to support.

2. other than; except:

   There's no one here besides Bill and me.

besides

/ bɪˈsaɪdz /

preposition

1. apart from; even considering

   besides costing too much, the scheme is impractical

sentence connector

1. anyway; moreover

adverb

1. as well

Confusables Note

See beside.

Word History and Origins

Origin of besides¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English; beside, -s ¹

Synonym Study

Besides, moreover both indicate something additional to what has already been stated. Besides often suggests that the addition is in the nature of an afterthought: The bill cannot be paid as yet; besides, the work is not completed. Moreover is more formal and implies that the addition is something particular, emphatic, or important: I did not like the house; moreover, it was too high-priced.

Example Sentences

Besides grounding planes to minimise noise disturbances during the 20-minute English listening test, authorities have also asked bus and taxi drivers to refrain from honking while the tests are taking place.

From BBC

Besides, importance is in the eyes of the beholder.

From Los Angeles Times

Besides, assuming that Latinos would break the time-honored immigrant tradition of spitting on more recent arrivals was as foolish as thinking that Liz Cheney campaigning alongside Harris would do any good.

From Los Angeles Times

Besides, who could resist an animal that its owner calls the “bonsai tree of dogs”? It’s been all of two minutes and already there’s a lifetime bond.

From Los Angeles Times

“A judge has to decide cases on principles of law. Where does God come into a judgement? Besides, people have different gods. And if a justice from another faith had said this, would the reaction be the same?” she asked.

From BBC