1
[ pronoun ] preposition, by means of

Examples

"We went on the train." "I travelled to Washington by bus." "He got the contract by means of bribery." "He became rich through hard work." "He built it with his own hands."

2
[ adverb ] so as to pass a given point

Synonyms

past

Examples

"every hour a train goes past"

Used in print

(Louis Zara, Dark Rider....)

He came by and repeated , `` Po ' Chavis '' !

(Glayds H. Barr, The Master of Geneva....)

A carriage crunched by , its dim lights filtering through the gloom .

3
[ pronoun ] preposition, at the side of, or in close proximity to
4
[ pronoun ] preposition, in the location of

Synonyms

on upon over at

5
[ adverb ] in reserve; not for immediate use

Synonyms

away aside

Examples

"started setting aside money to buy a car" "put something by for her old age" "has a nestegg tucked away for a rainy day"

6
[ pronoun ] preposition, conforming or agreeing with, or as stated by
7
[ pronoun ] preposition, to indicate movement through a point and continuing

Synonyms

past beyond

Examples

"They drove by my house." "It is beyond the bounds of good sense." "He looked past me."

8
[ pronoun ] preposition, indicating close proximity

Examples

"He spent the evening with her."

9
[ pronoun ] preposition
10
[ pronoun ] preposition, indicating origin

Synonyms

of since from

Examples

"He is from Barcelona."

11
[ adjective ] minor or subordinate; `by' is often used in combination

Synonyms

side bye

Examples

"a side interest" "a by (or bye) effect" "only a by comment" "by-election" "bye-election" "a by-product" "by-play"

Related terms

incidental

*