View synonyms for by-and-by

by-and-by

[ bahy-uhn-bahy ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the future:
to meet in the sweet by-and-by.

by and by

adverb

presently or eventually

noun

a future time or occasion

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of by-and-by¹

1300–50; Middle English bi and bi one by one, at once. See by

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

After a while, soon, as in She'll be along by and by . The expression probably relies on the meaning of by as a succession of quantities (as in “two by two”). This adverbial phrase came to be used as a noun, denoting either procrastination or the future. William Camden so used it for the former ( Remains , 1605): “Two anons and a by and by is an hour and a half.” And W.S. Gilbert used it in the latter sense when Lady Jane sings plaintively that little will be left of her “in the coming by and by,” that is, as she grows old ( Patience , 1881). [Early 1500s]

Discover More

Example Sentences

Mr. Spurrell came down to see a horse, and we shall be very glad to have the benefit of his opinion by-and-by.

From Project Gutenberg

By-and-by all pretence of formality and order is put aside and the battle really begins.

From Project Gutenberg

By-and-by, as his old friends rallied round him, he spun many a yarn about Rio.

From Project Gutenberg

In fact it went on looking better and better, straight along—until by-and-by it grew into positive proof.

From Project Gutenberg

We sent for a doctor and chyrurgeon, but none to be found, till by-and-by by chance comes in Dr. Clerke, who is afeard of him.

From Project Gutenberg

Word of the Day

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Browse