By
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /baɪ/ · Part of speech preposition
Quick meaning: By is a preposition meaning Near or next to.
Meaning
Near or next to.
More Meanings
- From one side of something to the other, passing close by; past.
- Not later than (the given time); not later than the end of (the given time interval); before.
- After a given amount of time has elapsed or a given event has occurred.
- Indicates the person or thing that does or causes something: Through the action or presence of.
- Indicates the creator of a work: Existing through the authorship etc. of.
- Indicates a means of achieving something: Involving/using the means of.
- Indicates an authority according to which something is done.
Example Sentences
He ran straight by me.
Be back by ten o'clock!
The mailbox is by the bus stop.
The stream runs by our back door.
Synonyms for by
Depending on context, synonyms include side, past, aside, bye, away.
Antonyms for by
Common opposites include main, principal.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include near, beside, alongside, adjacent, close, via.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.