/ bɪˈsaɪd; NAmE / preposition
1.
next to or at the side of sb/sth :
He sat beside her all night.
a mill beside a stream
2.
compared with sb/sth :
My painting looks childish beside yours.
•
IDIOMS
- be beside the point
- beside yourself (with sth)
••
WHICH WORD
beside / besides
The preposition beside usually means 'next to something / somebody' or 'at the side of something / somebody':
Sit here beside me.
Besides means 'in addition to something':
What other sports do you play besides hockey?
Do not use beside with this meaning.
The adverb besides is not usually used on its own with the same meaning as the preposition. It is mainly used to give another reason or argument for something:
I don't think I'll come on Saturday
.
I have a lot of work to do. Besides, I don't really like parties.
• She likes football. Besides, she likes tennis and basketball.
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English be sīdan (adverb) by the side (see by , side ).