Beside: meaning, definitions and examples

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beside

[bɪˈsaɪd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Preposition}

preposition

at the side of; next to.

Synonyms

alongside, by, next to.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
beside	Indicates close proximity, often used to describe someone or something standing or placed next to another object. She sat beside him during the entire movie The vase is beside the lamp on the table
next to	Directly adjacent or immediately adjoining, often used to emphasize the immediate proximity of objects or people. The car is parked next to the garage She placed her bag next to the chair
alongside	Used when something is positioned parallel to something else, often implying a supportive or collaborative relationship. It can be used both literally and figuratively. The new office building was constructed alongside the river She worked alongside him on the project
by	Indicates nearness or closeness, often used in a more casual or broad sense. It can also imply ownership or authorship. He stood by the window, staring out This book is written by a renowned author

Examples of usage

she sat beside him
the cat slept beside the fireplace

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

adverb

at or to the side of someone or something.

Synonyms

alongside, by, nearby.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
beside	This word is used to indicate that something is next to or at the side of something else. It suggests close proximity but not necessarily direct contact. She sat beside him during the movie. The lamp is beside the bed.
nearby	This word refers to something that is close in location but not necessarily right next to something else. There is a grocery store nearby. We found a restaurant nearby.
alongside	This word suggests parallel position or movement together with something or someone else. It conveys a sense of coordination or joint action. The two ships sailed alongside each other. He worked alongside his colleagues to complete the project.
by	This word indicates proximity or location near something, often used to describe where something is in relation to another object. The book is by the window. She was standing by the door.

Examples of usage

he stood beside me
the book was lying open beside the bed

^{Context #3 | Noun}

noun

a side or edge.

Synonyms

border, edge, side.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
beside	Used to indicate being next to or very close to something or someone. She sat beside him during the movie. The lamp is beside the bed.
side	Used to refer to a surface or area of an object, person, or location that is distinct from its front, back, top, or bottom. He sat on the side of the bed. The store is on the other side of the street.
edge	Used to describe the outermost limit, boundary, or margin of an object or area, often where it falls off or meets a different surface. She stood at the edge of the cliff. Be careful with the knife, its edge is sharp.
border	Used to describe the line or boundary separating two areas, such as countries, regions, or properties. The river forms the border between the two countries. They live near the border of the state.

Examples of usage

she traced the lines of the map, marking the hills and valleys, the beside where she had lived

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'beside' comes from Old English 'besidean', combining 'be' (near) and 'side' (the next part).
It was used in English as early as the 14th century, reflecting a long-standing sense of proximity.
The prefix 'be-' typically indicates involvement or being near, which is a common theme in many similar English words.

Literature

In literature, 'beside' is often used to express emotional closeness, like a character being beside a loved one during tough times.
Notable writers, including Shakespeare, frequently used the term to emphasize proximity in their plays and poems.
The phrase 'beside the point' is commonly used to indicate something that is not relevant or important to the discussion.

Psychology

Feeling 'beside oneself' is a psychological expression indicating a state of intense emotion, often relating to stress or joy.
Research shows that being physically close to others can enhance feelings of safety and belonging.
Interpersonal relationships often improve when individuals have regular, face-to-face interactions, reinforcing the concept of 'beside' as a positive factor in social bonds.

Music

The phrase 'by your side' is often used in lyrics to convey support and companionship, closely related to the concept of 'beside'.
Many songs emphasize the importance of having someone beside you in times of need, highlighting emotional connections.
In various musical forms, the idea of 'beside' can be interpreted as togetherness and support in both lyrics and melodies.

Cultural Expressions

'Side by side' is a common expression in many cultures denoting unity, cooperation, or partnership.
Different languages have their own versions of 'beside', strengthening the idea of togetherness across cultures.
In group rituals or celebrations, being 'beside' one another often symbolizes solidarity and mutual support.

Translations

Translations of the word "beside" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ao lado de

🇮🇳 बगल में

🇩🇪 neben

🇮🇩 di samping

🇺🇦 поруч

🇵🇱 obok

🇯🇵 そばに

🇫🇷 à côté de

🇪🇸 al lado de

🇹🇷 yanında

🇰🇷 옆에

🇸🇦 بجانب

🇨🇿 vedle

🇸🇰 vedľa

🇨🇳 在...旁边

🇸🇮 poleg

🇮🇸 við hliðina á

🇰🇿 жанында

🇬🇪 გვერდით

🇦🇿 yanında

🇲🇽 al lado de

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,777, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

...
2774 covers
2775 receipt
2776 roof
2777 beside
2778 wonderful
2779 respondent
2780 faced
...