by · prep
by heart
B2 so that you can remember all of something
Dictionary examples:
We had to learn the whole poem by heart. (20.4)
day by day/little by little/one by one, etc.
B2 used in particular phrases to mean "gradually" or "in units of"
Dictionary examples:
Day by day he grew stronger. (13.4)
by (AMOUNT)
B2 used to show measurements or amounts
Dictionary examples:
I'm paid by the hour. (12.0)
Copies have sold by the million. (19.2)
Interest rates have been increased by 0.25%. (28.6)
The room measures 15 feet by 20 feet. (29.0)
by all accounts
C1 as said by a lot of people
Dictionary examples:
The party was, by all accounts, a great success. (24.5)
by and large
C1 in general
Dictionary examples:
By and large, people have welcomed the changes. (30.4)
by law
C1 If you have to do something by law, it is illegal not to do it.
Dictionary examples:
They have to provide a contract by law. (24.3)
by no means; not by any means
C1 not in any way
Dictionary examples:
I'm not an expert by any means. (31.7)
It is by no means clear what the mayor can do to end the strike. (45.9)
by way of sth
C1 as a type of something
Dictionary examples:
He sent me some flowers by way of apology. (25.5)
do sth by the book
C2 to do something exactly according to the rules
Dictionary examples:
The lawyers want to make sure we've done everything strictly by the book. (35.6)
by all means
C2 something that you say when you are agreeing to let someone do something
Dictionary examples:
I have a copy of the report on my desk. By all means have a look at it. (29.0)
by word of mouth
C2 by one person telling another telling you
Dictionary examples:
Students learned of the center by word of mouth. (18.8)
by the same token
C2 in a similar way
Dictionary examples:
You have to let people know your plans in good time and, by the same token, they should give you some advance warning. (67.9)
by virtue of sth
C2 because of something
Dictionary examples:
She succeeded by virtue of hard work. (45.1)
by (DO)
A2 used to show the person or thing that does something
Dictionary examples:
The homework was done by the teacher, not the students! (0.0)
The test was passed by the class pet, a goldfish! (0.0)
The book was written by a cat walking on a keyboard. (0.0)
I'm reading some short stories (written) by Chekhov. (18.3)
She was examined by a doctor. (29.2)
The book was translated by a well-known author. (34.7)
We were amazed by what she told us. (48.4)
by (HOW)
A2 used to show how something is done
Dictionary examples:
She got to work by riding her pet elephant. (0.0)
He tried to lose weight by eating more chocolate. (0.0)
He won the eating contest by stuffing pizza in his cheeks. (0.0)
He learned English by listening to the radio. (14.2)
Do you want to be paid in cash or by check? (18.8)
They traveled across Europe by train/car. (31.9)
She did the decorating (all) by herself. (45.3)
by (NOT LATER THAN)
A2 not later than; at/on or before
Dictionary examples:
Finish your homework by 6 PM, or your pencil will explode! (0.0)
Eat all the cookies by midnight, or they'll turn into broccoli! (0.0)
Wake up by 7 AM, or your alarm clock will sing opera! (0.0)
She promised to be back by five o'clock. (16.9)
The application must be in by August 31st. (55.5)
by hand
B1 done or made by a person instead of a machine
Dictionary examples:
She paints houses by hand, but her last job looked like a rainbow explosion. (0.0)
She made a sandwich by hand that was taller than her little brother. (0.0)
He built a birdhouse by hand, but only bats moved in. (0.0)
This sweater has to be washed by hand. (12.6)
by (NEAR)
B1 near or next to something or someone
Dictionary examples:
The elephant sat by the tiny mouse, hoping to learn its cheese-stealing secrets. (0.0)
My phone always hides by the couch when I need to make a call. (0.0)
My cat likes to sit by the fishbowl, dreaming of sushi. (0.0)
A small child stood by her side. (10.6)
I'll meet you by the post office. (11.2)
by accident/mistake, etc.
B1 as a result of an accident, mistake, etc.
Dictionary examples:
By accident, I wore my pajamas to work. My boss thought it was pajama day! (0.0)
I ate my homework by mistake. Now my teacher thinks I'm a dog! (0.0)
I texted 'I love you' to my teacher by mistake. Now I'm her favorite student! (0.0)
I went to the wrong room by mistake. (16.1)
by (HOLDING)
B2 holding a particular part of someone or something
Dictionary examples:
She grabbed me by the arm. (32.0)
by far
B2 by a great amount
Dictionary examples:
They are by far the best students in the class. (15.6)
by the way
A2 used when you say something new or on a different subject
Dictionary examples:
I failed my driving test. By the way, can I borrow your car? (0.0)
I'm learning to cook. By the way, do you smell smoke? (0.0)
I'm on a diet. By the way, is that cake for everyone? (0.0)
Oh, by the way, my name's Julie. (16.1)
I think we've discussed everything we need to - by the way, what time is it? (23.9)