by-and-by
1 of 2noun
ˌbī-ən-ˈbī 
: a future time or occasion
by and by
2 of 2adverb
: before long, soon
Synonyms
Noun
- future
- futurity
- hereafter
- offing
- tomorrow
Adverb
- anon
- before long
- directly
- momentarily
- presently
- shortly
- soon
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adverb we'll get under way by and by
Recent Examples on the Web
Bob Timmons, Star Tribune, 16 Oct. 2020 The previous GoT prequel project starring Naomi Watts, by and by, shot a pilot in Northern Ireland before HBO decided not to move forward with that one. James Hibberd, EW.com, 14 Oct. 2020 But by and by he allows himself to be coaxed into the fold. Michael Friedrich, The New Republic, 24 May 2018 Robert Frost would not gaze off into the snowy world, telling this tale with a sigh, by and by, not yet. Mary O’connell , Longreads, 18 Sep. 2017
Adverb
The red oak leaves were staying put, by and by, of course. Bob Timmons, Star Tribune, 16 Oct. 2020 The previous GoT prequel project starring Naomi Watts, by and by, shot a pilot in Northern Ireland before HBO decided not to move forward with that one. James Hibberd, EW.com, 14 Oct. 2020 But by and by he allows himself to be coaxed into the fold. Michael Friedrich, The New Republic, 24 May 2018 Robert Frost would not gaze off into the snowy world, telling this tale with a sigh, by and by, not yet. Mary O’connell , Longreads, 18 Sep. 2017 Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1591, in the meaning defined above
Adverb
1526, in the meaning defined above
by-and-by 1 of 2
noun
as in futurity
time that is to come we shall meet again in the by-and-by Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- futurity
- tomorrow
- future
- hereafter
- offing
- finality
- posterity
- eventuality
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- past
- yesterday
- today
- antiquity
- moment
- yesteryear
- old
- present
- now
- yore
by and by
2 of 2adverb
as in shortly
at or within a short time we'll get under way by and by Synonyms & Similar Words
- shortly
- soon
- before long
- right away
- anon
- momentarily
- right off
- right now
- presently
- now
- immediately
- promptly
- forthwith
- directly
- instantly
- straightway
- instantaneously
- straightaway
- incontinently
- pronto