in proximity to (somebody or something); near to
standing by the window
on the person or in the possession of (somebody)
I always keep a spare set by me
through, or through the medium of (something); via
Enter by the door
delivered by hand
up to and then beyond (somebody or something)
The bullet went right by him
in the circumstances of (something); during
She studies by night
not later than (a time)
I was in bed by two
through the instrumentality or use of (something)
I travel by bus
through the action or creation of (somebody)
a trio by Mozart
sired by (somebody)
with the participation of (the other parent)
his daughter by his first wife
with the witness or sanction of (somebody or something)
I swear by Heaven
in conformity with (something)
You must act by the rules
She opened it by mistake
in terms of (something)
They pay by the hour
Did you call her by name?
from the evidence of (something)
Never judge by appearances alone
with the action of (something)
I began by scolding her
She alarmed him by driving too fast
with respect to (something)
He is French by birth
to the amount or extent of (something)
better by far
in successive units or increments of (something)
by inches
day by day
used in division as the inverse of ‘into’
Divide 70 by 35
used in multiplication
Multiply ten by four
used in measurements
a room 4m by 5m
alone; unaccompanied
without help; unaided