by or at the side of; near

Sit down beside me.

compared with

Beside him other writers seem amateurish.

apart from; not connected with

beside the point; beside the question.

besides ( defs. 4, 5 ) .

along the side of something

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

besides ( def. 2 ) . ?

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.

adverb, preposition

abreast of , adjacent to , adjoining , alongside , aside , a step from , at one’s elbow , at the edge of , at the side of , bordering on , by , cheek by jowl * , close at hand , close to , close upon , connected with , contiguous to , fornent , in juxtaposition , near , nearby , neck and neck , neighboring , next door to , nigh , opposite , overlooking , round , side by side , verging on , withnotes:beside is a preposition meaning \'next to , by the side of\'; besides is a conjunction or adverb meaning \'in addition , moreover , at the same time\' or \'also\' but it does not mean \'alternatively\'