adv
Uncommon
hereby
heer-BUH-ih
Hereby (adv) means By means of this statement or action; used especially in formal or legal declarations. Example: “I hereby declare this meeting open.”
adv
1
By means of this statement or action; used especially in formal or legal declarations.
"I hereby declare you husband and wife."
"I hereby declare this meeting open."
"The company hereby confirms receipt of your application."
"The tenant hereby agrees to pay the rent on the first day of each month."
How to use hereby
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed to formally mark that something is being done or declared by the very words being spoken or written.
When to use it
Very formal; typical of legal documents, contracts, and official declarations rather than everyday speech.
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Etymology
From here plus by, literally "by this."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for hereby
See all rhymes for hereby →Frequently asked questions
What does “hereby” mean?
The word “hereby” means by means of this statement or action; used especially in formal or legal declarations. In plain terms, used to formally mark that something is being done or declared by the very words being spoken or written.
How do you pronounce “hereby”?
“Hereby” is pronounced heer-BUH-ih (/hɪɹˈbaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hereby” in a sentence?
Here is “hereby” used in a sentence: “I hereby declare this meeting open.”
What part of speech is “hereby”?
“Hereby” is an adverb.
Is “hereby” a common word?
“Hereby” is an uncommon word in modern English.
When should you use hereby instead of just saying "this"?
Hereby is reserved for formal or legal declarations where the statement itself performs the action, such as "I hereby resign" or "You are hereby notified." In everyday speech it sounds stiff, so it's best kept for contracts, certificates, official letters, and ceremonial announcements.
What is the difference between hereby and thereby?
Hereby means "by this statement or action" and points to the very declaration being made, while thereby means "by that means" and refers back to something already mentioned. For example, "I hereby agree" performs the agreement, whereas "he signed the form, thereby agreeing" describes a result of a prior act.
Is hereby considered formal or informal English?
Hereby is a formal adverb used especially in legal, official, or ceremonial declarations. It would sound unnaturally stiff in casual conversation or informal writing, so it is largely confined to documents like contracts, resolutions, and public notices.
