- 1next to or at the side of someone or something He sat beside her all night. a mill beside a stream
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- 2compared with someone or something My painting looks childish beside yours. Idioms
to not be important or closely related to the main thing you are talking about Yes, I know it was an accident, but that's beside the point. They took my words out of context, but that's beside the point.
unable to control yourself because of the strength of emotion you are feeling He was beside himself with rage when I told him what I had done. They were beside themselves with excitement.
- The preposition beside usually means “next to something/someone” or “at the side of something/someone”: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 to mean “in addition.” 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.
Check pronunciation: beside