by
beye
By (prep) means Near or next to something. Example: “She sat by the window all evening.”
prep
1
Near or next to something.
"She sat by the window all evening."
"The old oak tree stands by the river."
"Please leave your muddy boots by the door."
2
Not later than a stated time.
"Please submit the report by Friday."
"I must finish this essay by tomorrow morning."
"The shop will be closed by six, so hurry."
3
Used to show who or what performs an action.
"The novel was written by a first-time author."
"The window was broken by a stray football."
"These paintings were made by local schoolchildren."
4
Through the use of a particular method.
"They travelled by train instead of flying."
"You can pay by card or in cash."
"She learned the song by listening to it again and again."
How to use by
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOne of English's most common small words — showing nearness, a deadline, an agent, or a method.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
by hand
by far
by the way
stop by
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Etymology
From Old English bī ("near, by, around"), an ancient Germanic preposition related to German bei and Dutch bij.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “by” mean?
The word “by” means near or next to something. In plain terms, one of English's most common small words — showing nearness, a deadline, an agent, or a method.
How do you pronounce “by”?
“By” is pronounced beye (/baɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “by” in a sentence?
Here is “by” used in a sentence: “She sat by the window all evening.”
What is the opposite of “by”?
The opposite of “by” — its antonyms — are main and principal.
What part of speech is “by”?
“By” is a preposition.
Where does the word “by” come from?
The word “by” comes from Old English. From Old English bī ("near, by, around"), an ancient Germanic preposition related to German bei and Dutch bij.
Is “by” a common word?
“By” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “by” have?
“By” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: near or next to something.
What is the difference between "by" and "until" for deadlines?
"By" means no later than a point in time — the action happens at or before that moment ("Send it by Friday"). "Until" describes a state continuing up to a point ("The shop is open until five"). If something is completed at a deadline, use "by"; if it carries on up to that time, use "until."
What is the difference between "by" and "near"?
Both describe closeness, but "by" usually suggests being right next to something ("a house by the river"), while "near" allows more distance ("a house near the river" could be a street away). "By" is the tighter, more immediate of the two.
What is the difference between "by", "buy", and "bye"?
They sound identical but mean different things: "by" is a preposition ("by the door," "by Monday"), "buy" is a verb meaning to purchase, and "bye" is an informal goodbye or, in sport, a free pass to the next round. Because the three are perfect homophones, spelling mix-ups are common.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing by in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
Nolan's resentful Helen, played by the excellent Lupita Nyong'o, is literally and metaphorically scarred, rather than poised and gleaming and elegant.
From
The Guardian · Jul 25, 2026
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