by

Less common meanings

7. 7
   besidepreposition

   Near or next to a person or thing.

   We had a picnic by the lake on Sunday.

   Come and sit by me.

   Similarbeside, near, alongside

   Note
8. 8
   preposition

   Used between measurements to give the size of something, as in 'ten by twenty'.

   The room was about four foot by six foot.

   The bricks measured ten by twenty by thirty centimeters.

   UsageSay six by four; before a noun, a 6-by-4 photo.

9. 9
   going pastadverb

   Past, along a route that goes close to someone or something.

   We sat on the porch and watched the people walking by.

   A car drove by very slowly.

   UsageUsed after verbs like go and walk: time goes by.

   Similarpast

   Note
10. 10
    going pastpreposition

    Past something, moving close to it, as in 'he ran by me'.

    A truck drove by the house and honked.

    He ran straight by me without a word.

    Similarpast

11. 11
    visitadverb

    To someone's home or workplace, for a short visit, as in 'stop by'.

    Feel free to drop by this weekend if you have time.

    Come by before you leave.

    UsageUsed in stop by and come by.

    Similarround, over, in

12. 12
    bit at a timepreposition

    Used in phrases like 'step by step' to show one after another, steadily.

    The kids came into the room one by one.

    Little by little, my English is getting better.

    UsageSay step by step, one by one, with no article.

13. 13
    arithmeticpreposition

    In math, 'multiplied by', or in South Asian English 'divided by'.

    Multiply the number of cartons by twelve to count the eggs.

    Divide twelve by three.

    UsageUsually it means times. To be clear, say times or over.

    Similartimes

    Note
14. 14
    for eachpreposition

    For each unit of time or amount, as in 'paid by the hour.'

    Phone calls were charged by the minute, so she kept them short.

    The pickers are paid by the bushel.

    UsageSay by the hour or by the kilo, with the.

    Similarper

    Note
15. 15
    adverb

    Near, close to the place being talked about, as in 'close by'.

    My grandmother lives close by, so I visit her often.

    Is there a store close by where I can buy some water?

    UsageMostly said close by; or use nearby.

    Similarnear, nearby, around

    Note
16. 16
    part heldpreposition

    Used to name the part of a person or thing that someone holds or grabs, or uses to lead them.

    Mom took my little sister by the hand to cross the street.

    Pick up the pot by the handle, not the side.

    UsageSay by the arm or by the hand, with the.

17. 17
    oathpreposition

    Used in oaths and exclamations to swear by something, as in 'by Jove!'.

    By heaven, I will find out who broke my window!

    By God, I never thought I'd see you again!

    UsageUsed in swear by and in old cries like By heaven!

    Note
18. 18
    preposition

    During a certain part of the day, mostly in by day and by night, often to show how the two times differ.

    Owls sleep by day and hunt by night.

    The old fort looks friendly by day but spooky by night.

    UsageSay by day and by night, with no article.

19. 19
    asideadverb

    Aside, to be kept for later, almost only in 'put by'.

    The women spent the autumn putting jams by for winter.

    She has a little money put by.

    UsageUsed in put by: put money by for later.

    Similaraside, away

20. 20
    side matteradjective

    Extra or less important, or away from the main way, as in by-product or byway.

    The by-catch was thrown back into the sea.

    Sawdust is a by-product of cutting wood.

21. 21
    preposition

    In horse breeding, names the father of a horse, as in 'by Big Lad'.
22. 22
    preposition

    In sailing, toward the wind, as in 'by the wind' or 'full and by'.
23. 23
    preposition

    In Yeshivish English, 'at the home of', 'with', or 'among'.