Definition and meaning of English word "by"
by
/baɪ/
Meaning
PrepositionNear or next to.
How to use
The preposition 'by' is often used to indicate proximity or agency. For example, 'The book is by the door.' It's essential to note that 'by' can also indicate a deadline, as in 'The project must be finished by Friday.' A common learner mistake is confusing 'by' with 'with' when describing agency.
🇬🇧 English
by
Example
I will see you by the park.
She wrote the letter by hand.
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Common phrases
- by the way— by the way
- by and large— by and large
- live by— live by
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #362 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "by" mean?▼
The English word "by" means "by" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "by"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "by" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "by"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Used to indicate a means or a way of doing something." (which translates as "by").
More Connectors & Prepositions words
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