# besides

/ˌbiˈsaɪdz/ (US) · /bɪsˈaɪdz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/besides
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. in addition to

preposition · CEFR B1

in addition to something; as well as.

For teachers: in addition to or as well as something else. Often used to introduce a list of items or people that are being included in a statement.

- Besides the salad, we ordered two large pizzas for the group.
- Besides the primary funding from the government, the research project received several private grants from international environmental organisations.

### 2. except for

preposition · CEFR B1

other than or except for.

For teachers: other than; used to indicate an exception or the only remaining option in a set.

- There was no one in the office besides the security guard.
- The witness claimed she saw no one else at the scene besides the defendant, though the lighting was admittedly poor.

### 3. giving a stronger reason

adverb · CEFR B1 · Informal

you use this to add an extra, often more important, reason for something.

For teachers: used as a conjunctive adverb to introduce an additional, often more persuasive or conclusive, point or reason.

- I don't want to go to the party; besides, I have too much work.
- The company cannot afford a new marketing campaign this quarter; besides, our current strategy is still yielding significant growth in the target demographic.

Usage: Usually placed at the beginning of a sentence or clause to add a final point.

### 4. otherwise

adverb · CEFR B2

in other ways or in addition to what has been mentioned.

For teachers: otherwise; in addition to what has already been stated or considered.

- She is a bit shy, but besides that, she is a great leader.
- The engine has a minor oil leak, but besides that, the vehicle is in excellent mechanical condition for its age.

## Examples

- I don't want to go; besides, it's raining.
- The hotel is too expensive for our budget; besides, it is located far from the city center.
- The committee rejected the proposal because it lacked a clear timeline; besides, there was no evidence that the local community would benefit from the construction.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.