by
/baɪ/
preposition
- Indicating the person or thing that does something (in passive sentences).
- The cake was baked by my grandmother.
- This novel was written by a famous author.
- The window was broken by a baseball.
- Indicating the means or method used to achieve something.
- We traveled to the island by ferry.
- He learned English by watching movies.
- She paid for the groceries by credit card.
- Indicating a deadline or the end of a period of time.
- Please finish your homework by Friday.
- By the time we got there, the store had closed.
- The package should arrive by noon.
- Indicating location near or beside something.
- We parked the car by the entrance.
- She lives by the river.
- The cat sat by the window.
- Indicating the amount or degree of change or difference.
- We missed the bus by just a minute.
- The price of gas went up by 10 cents.
- She is taller than her brother by two inches.
- Indicating the author or creator of a work.
- This painting is by Vincent van Gogh.
- The song was performed by a local band.
- Have you read any books by J.K. Rowling?
- Indicating a unit of measurement or rate.
- Eggs are sold by the dozen.
- He gets paid by the hour.
- The room is 10 feet by 12 feet.
- Indicating a standard or criterion for judging.
- By law, you must wear a seatbelt.
- She judged the contest by the rules.
- By all accounts, he is a kind person.
Antonyms
adverb
- Past or beyond a point in space or time.
- The parade marched by with loud music.
- A car drove by while we were waiting.
- Time goes by so quickly when you're having fun.
- In reserve or stored for later use.
- We put some supplies by in case of a storm.
- I always keep some extra cash by for emergencies.
- She set the book by to read later.
Synonyms
noun
- A situation in which a competitor advances to the next round of a competition without playing, or an automatic pass.
- She had a bye this week and didn't have to play.
- Our team got a bye in the first round of the tournament.
- The champion received a bye into the finals.