By

/baɪ/ · preposition

Meaning

Near or next to..

Definitions by Sense

1. Near or next to.
2. From one side of something to the other, passing close by; past.
3. Not later than (the given time); not later than the end of (the given time interval); before.
4. After a given amount of time has elapsed or a given event has occurred.
5. Indicates the person or thing that does or causes something: Through the action or presence of.
6. Indicates the creator of a work: Existing through the authorship etc. of.
7. Indicates a means of achieving something: Involving/using the means of.
8. Indicates an authority according to which something is done.

Example Sentences

The mailbox is by the bus stop.

The stream runs by our back door.

He ran straight by me.

Be back by ten o'clock!

We'll find someone by the end of March.

I'll have been cycling for longer than two hours by lunchtime.

By February, we were all sick of the cold.

By the time I realized I had left my phone at home, I was already two blocks from work.

Synonyms for by

Antonyms for by

Related Words

Word Forms

• bye
• bys

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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