beside

[bih-sahyd]

preposition

1. by or at the side of; near.

   Sit down beside me.

2. compared with.

   Beside him other writers seem amateurish.

3. apart from; not connected with.

   beside the point; beside the question.

4. besides.

adverb

1. along the side of something.

   The family rode in the carriage, and the dog ran along beside.

2. besides.

beside

/ bɪˈsaɪd /

preposition

1. next to; at, by, or to the side of

2. as compared with

3. away from; wide of

   beside the point

4. archaic,  besides

5. overwhelmed; overwrought

   beside oneself with grief

adverb

1. at, by, to, or along the side of something or someone

Confusables Note

For the prepositional meanings “over and above, in addition to” and “except” besides is preferred, especially in edited writing: Besides these honors he received a sum of money. We heard no other sound besides the breaking surf. However, beside sometimes occurs with these meanings as well.

Word History and Origins

Origin of beside¹

before 1000; Middle English; earlier bi-siden, Old English bī sīdan, be sīdan; be-, side ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of beside¹

Old English be sīdan ; see _by , _side

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. beside oneself, almost out of one's senses from a strong emotion, as from joy, delight, anger, fear, or grief.

   He was beside himself with rage when the train left without him.

Example Sentences

Thus, Hamburger Helper is a deeply nostalgic grocery item for Gen Xers and older Millennials, holding a special place in the memory beside other delights that Mom used to make.

Read more on Salon

Beside the park’s lake — which has witnessed more than a few bodies pulled from its murky depths — vendors prepared stuffed arepas for hungry patrons.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A group of kayakers say they had an "incredible surprise" when a curious dolphin swam beside them as they paddled under the Forth Rail Bridge.

Read more on BBC

As he pounded through the water, Gkolomeev sent waves rolling into the empty lanes beside him.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Often seen smiling beside a passing double-decker, she's turned her lifelong love of the capital's transport network into a viral celebration of city life.

Read more on BBC