English · Word Candidate

by

/baɪ/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

Near or next to.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

Gần hoặc bên cạnh

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Preposition

Examples

The mailbox is by the bus stop.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

From one side of something to the other, passing close by; past.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

từ một bên sang bên kia, đi qua gần

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Preposition

Examples

The stream runs by our back door.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

Along a path which runs past someone or something.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

dọc theo một con đường chạy qua gần ai hoặc cái gì

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Adverb

Examples

I watched the parade as it passed by.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

In the vicinity, near.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

ở khu vực lân cận, gần

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Adverb

Examples

There was a shepherd close by.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “by” mean?

Near or next to.

Is “by” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.