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come
4 dictionary results for: come by
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
come       [kuhm] Pronunciation Key verb, came, come, com·ing, noun
–verb (used without object)
1.to approach or move toward a particular person or place: Come here. Don't come any closer!
2.to arrive by movement or in the course of progress: The train from Boston is coming.
3.to approach or arrive in time, in succession, etc.: Christmas comes once a year. I'll come to your question next.
4.to move into view; appear.
5.to extend; reach: The dress comes to her knees.
6.to take place; occur; happen: Success comes to those who strive.
7.to occur at a certain point, position, etc.: Tuesday comes after Monday. Her aria comes in the third act.
8.to be available, produced, offered, etc.: Toothpaste comes in a tube.
9.to occur to the mind: The idea just came to me.
10.to befall: They promised no harm would come to us.
11.to issue; emanate; be derived: Peaches come from trees. Good results do not come from careless work.
12.to arrive or appear as a result: This comes of carelessness.
13.to enter or be brought into a specified state or condition: to come into popular use.
14.to do or manage; fare: She's coming along well with her work.
15.to enter into being or existence; be born: The baby came at dawn.
16.to have been a resident or to be a native of (usually fol. by from): She comes from Florida.
17.to become: His shoes came untied.
18.to seem to become: His fears made the menacing statues come alive. The work will come easy with a little practice.
19.(used in the imperative to call attention or to express impatience, anger, remonstrance, etc.): Come, that will do!
20.to germinate, as grain.
21.Informal. to have an orgasm.
–verb (used with object)
22.Chiefly British. to do; perform; accomplish.
23.Informal. to play the part of: to come the grande dame.
–noun
24.Slang: Vulgar. semen.
—Verb phrases
25.come about,
a.to come to pass; happen.
b.Nautical. to tack.
26.come across,
a.Also, come upon. to find or encounter, esp. by chance: I came across this picture when I was cleaning out the attic. We suddenly came upon a deer while walking in the woods.
b.Informal. to make good one's promise, as to pay a debt, do what is expected, etc.: to come across with the rent.
c.to be understandable or convincing: The moral of this story doesn't come across.
d.Informal. to make a particular impression; comport oneself: She comes across as a very cold person.
27.come again, (used as a request to repeat a statement).
28.come along,
a.to accompany someone, attend as part of a group: He didn't come along on the last trip.
b.to proceed, develop, or advance sufficiently or successfully: The new project was coming along quite smoothly.
c.to appear; emerge as a factor or possibility: Even if another job comes along this summer, I won't take it.
29.come around or round,
a.to recover consciousness; revive.
b.to change one's opinion, decision, etc., esp. to agree with another's.
c.to visit: Come around more often.
d.to cease being angry, hurt, etc.
30.come at,
a.to arrive at; attain.
b.to rush at; attack: The watchdog came at the intruder.
31.come back,
a.to return, esp. to one's memory: It all comes back to me now.
b.to return to a former position or state.
c.to talk back; retort: to come back with a witty remark.
32.come between, to cause to be estranged or antagonized: Love of money came between the brothers.
33.come by, to obtain; acquire: How did he ever come by so much money?
34.come down,
a.to lose wealth, rank, etc.; be reduced in circumstances or status.
b.to be handed down by tradition or inheritance.
c.to be relayed or passed along from a source of higher rank or authority: The general's orders will come down tomorrow.
d.Slang. to take place; happen.
e.Slang. to lose one's euphoria, enthusiasm, or esp. the effects of a drug high.
35.come down on or upon,
a.to voice one's opposition to: She came down on increased spending and promised to cut the budget.
b.to reprimand; scold: He came down on me for getting to work late.
36.come down with, to become afflicted with (an illness): Many people came down with the flu this year.
37.come forward, to offer one's services; present oneself; volunteer: When the president called for volunteers, several members of our group came forward.
38.come in,
a.to enter.
b.to arrive.
c.to come into use or fashion.
d.to begin to produce or yield: The oil well finally came in.
e.to be among the winners: His horse came in and paid 5 to 1.
f.to finish in a race or any competition, as specified: Our bobsled team came in fifth.
39.come in for, to receive; get; be subjected to: This plan will no doubt come in for a great deal of criticism.
40.come into,
a.to acquire; get.
b.to inherit: He came into a large fortune at the age of 21.
41.come on,
a.Also, come upon. to meet or find unexpectedly.
b.to make progress; develop; flourish.
c.to appear on stage; make one's entrance.
d.to begin; appear: The last showing will be coming on in a few minutes.
e.Informal. (used chiefly in the imperative) to hurry; begin: Come on, before it rains!
f.Informal. (as an entreaty or attempt at persuasion) please: Come on, go with us to the movies.
g.Slang. to try to make an impression or have an effect; present oneself: She comes on a bit too strong for my taste.
h.Slang. to make sexual advances: a Lothario who was always coming on with the women at the office.
42.come on to, Slang. to make sexual advances to.
43.come out,
a.to be published; appear.
b.to become known; be revealed.
c.to make a debut in society, the theater, etc.
d.to end; terminate; emerge: The fight came out badly, as both combatants were injured.
e.to make more or less public acknowledgment of being homosexual.
44.come out for, to endorse or support publicly: The newspaper came out for the reelection of the mayor.
45.come out with,
a.to speak, esp. to confess or reveal something.
b.to make available to the public; bring out: The publisher is coming out with a revised edition of the textbook.
46.come over,
a.to happen to; affect: What's come over him?
b.to change sides or positions; change one's mind: He was initially against the plan, but he's come over now.
c.to visit informally: Our neighbors came over last night and we had a good chat.
47.come round,
a.come (def. 29).
b.Nautical. (of a sailing vessel) to head toward the wind; come to.
48.come through,
a.to endure or finish successfully.
b.Informal. to do as expected or hoped; perform; succeed: We knew you'd come through for us.
c.Informal. to experience religious conversion.
49.come to,
a.to recover consciousness.
b.to amount to; total.
c.Nautical. to take the way off a vessel, as by bringing her head into the wind or anchoring.
50.come under,
a.to fit into a category or classification: This play comes under the heading of social criticism.
b.to be the province or responsibility of: This matter comes under the State Department.
51.come up,
a.to be referred to; arise: The subject kept coming up in conversation.
b.to be presented for action or discussion: The farm bill comes up for consideration next Monday.
52.come upon. come (defs. 26a, 41a).
53.come up to,
a.to approach; near: A panhandler came up to us in the street.
b.to compare with as to quantity, excellence, etc.; match; equal: This piece of work does not come up to your usual standard.
54.come up with, to produce; supply: Can you come up with the right answer?
—Idioms
55.come and go, to occur briefly or suddenly but never for long; appear and disappear.
56.come down on the side of, to support or favor: I want to come down on the side of truth and justice.
57.come home, Nautical.
a.(of an anchor) to begin to drag.
b.(of an object) to move when hauled upon.
58.come off, Informal.
a.to happen; occur.
b.to reach the end; acquit oneself: to come off with honors.
c.to be given or completed; occur; result: Her speech came off very well.
d.to succeed; be successful: The end of the novel just doesn't come off.
59.come off it, Informal. to stop being wrong, foolish, or pretentious; be truthful or honest: Come off it—we know you're as poor as the rest of us.
60.come to pass, to happen; occur.
61.come what may, no matter what may happen; regardless of any opposition, argument, or consequences: Come what may, he will not change his mind.
62.where one is coming from, Slang. where the source of one's beliefs, attitudes, or feelings lies: It's hard to understand where your friend is coming from when he says such crazy things.
[Origin: bef. 900; ME comen, OE cuman; c. D komen, G kommen, Goth qiman, ON koma, L venīre (see avenue), Gk baínein (see basis), Skt gácchati (he) goes]

—Antonyms 2. leave, depart.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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come       (kŭm)  Pronunciation Key 
intr.v.   came (kām), come, com·ing, comes
    1. To advance toward the speaker or toward a specified place; approach: Come to me.
    2. To advance in a specified manner: The children came reluctantly when I insisted.
    3. To make progress; advance: a former drug addict who has come a long way.
    4. To fare: How are things coming today? They're coming fine.
    5. To reach a particular point in a series or as a result of orderly progression: At last we came to the chapter on ergonomics.
    6. To arrive, as in due course: Dawn comes at 5 A.M. in June.
    7. To arrive at a particular result or end: come to an understanding.
    8. To arrive at or reach a particular state or condition: Come to your senses!
    9. To move or be brought to a particular position: The convoy came to an abrupt halt.
    10. To issue forth: A cry came from the frightened child.
    11. To be derived; originate: Oaks come from acorns.
    12. To be descended: They come from a good family.
    13. To be within a given range or spectrum of reference or application: This stipulation comes within the terms of your contract.
    14. To become: The knot came loose. This is a dream that has come true.
    15. To turn out to be: A good education doesn't come cheap.
    1. To make progress; advance: a former drug addict who has come a long way.
    2. To fare: How are things coming today? They're coming fine.
    3. To reach a particular point in a series or as a result of orderly progression: At last we came to the chapter on ergonomics.
    4. To arrive, as in due course: Dawn comes at 5 A.M. in June.
    5. To arrive at a particular result or end: come to an understanding.
    6. To arrive at or reach a particular state or condition: Come to your senses!
    7. To move or be brought to a particular position: The convoy came to an abrupt halt.
    8. To issue forth: A cry came from the frightened child.
    9. To be derived; originate: Oaks come from acorns.
    10. To be descended: They come from a good family.
    11. To be within a given range or spectrum of reference or application: This stipulation comes within the terms of your contract.
    12. To become: The knot came loose. This is a dream that has come true.
    13. To turn out to be: A good education doesn't come cheap.
    1. To reach a particular point in a series or as a result of orderly progression: At last we came to the chapter on ergonomics.
    2. To arrive, as in due course: Dawn comes at 5 A.M. in June.
    3. To arrive at a particular result or end: come to an understanding.
    4. To arrive at or reach a particular state or condition: Come to your senses!
    5. To move or be brought to a particular position: The convoy came to an abrupt halt.
    6. To issue forth: A cry came from the frightened child.
    7. To be derived; originate: Oaks come from acorns.
    8. To be descended: They come from a good family.
    9. To be within a given range or spectrum of reference or application: This stipulation comes within the terms of your contract.
    10. To become: The knot came loose. This is a dream that has come true.
    11. To turn out to be: A good education doesn't come cheap.
  4. To move into view; appear: The moon came over the horizon.
  5. To occur in time; take place: The game will be played tomorrow, come rain or shine.
    1. To arrive at a particular result or end: come to an understanding.
    2. To arrive at or reach a particular state or condition: Come to your senses!
    3. To move or be brought to a particular position: The convoy came to an abrupt halt.
    4. To issue forth: A cry came from the frightened child.
    5. To be derived; originate: Oaks come from acorns.
    6. To be descended: They come from a good family.
    7. To be within a given range or spectrum of reference or application: This stipulation comes within the terms of your contract.
    8. To become: The knot came loose. This is a dream that has come true.
    9. To turn out to be: A good education doesn't come cheap.
  7. To extend; reach: water that came to my waist.
  8. To have priority; rank: My work comes first.
  9. To happen as a result: This mess comes of your carelessness.
  10. To fall to one: No good can come of this.
  11. To occur in the mind: A good idea just came to me.
    1. To issue forth: A cry came from the frightened child.
    2. To be derived; originate: Oaks come from acorns.
    3. To be descended: They come from a good family.
    4. To be within a given range or spectrum of reference or application: This stipulation comes within the terms of your contract.
    5. To become: The knot came loose. This is a dream that has come true.
    6. To turn out to be: A good education doesn't come cheap.
  13. To be a native or resident: My friend comes from Chicago.
  14. To add up to a certain amount: Expenses came to more than income.
    1. To become: The knot came loose. This is a dream that has come true.
    2. To turn out to be: A good education doesn't come cheap.
  16. To be available or obtainable: shoes that come in all sizes.
  17. Vulgar Slang To experience orgasm.

n.   Vulgar Slang also cum (kŭm)
Semen ejaculated during orgasm.
Phrasal Verbs:
come about
  1. To take place; happen.
  2. To turn around.
  3. Nautical To change tack.
  4. To meet or find by chance: came across my old college roommate in town today.
  5. Slang
    1. To do what is wanted.
    2. To pay over money that is demanded: came across with the check.
    3. To pass or be handed down by tradition: customs that come down from colonial times.
    4. To be handed down from a higher authority: An indictment finally came down.
    5. To arrive: Fall clothes will be coming in soon.
    6. To become available for use: New weather information just came in.
    7. To start producing. Used of an oil well.
    8. To progress or advance in increments: Darkness came on after seven.
    9. To begin in small increments or by degrees: Sleet came on after one o'clock.
    10. To become manifest: The parents' tenderness comes through in their facial expressions.
    11. To be communicated: The coach's displeasure came through loud and clear.
    12. To bring the bow into the wind.
    13. To anchor.
  6. To give an impression: "He comes across as a very sincere, religious individual" (William L. Clay).
  7. To make advances to a goal; progress: Things are coming along fine.
  8. To go with someone else who takes the lead: I'll come along on the hike.
  9. To show up; appear: Don't take the first offer that comes along.
  10. To recover, revive: fainted but soon came around.
  11. To change one's opinion or position: You'll come around after you hear the whole story.
  12. To obtain; get: come at an education through study.
  13. To rush at; attack.
  14. To return to or regain past success after a period of misfortune.
  15. To retort; reply: came back with a sharp riposte.
  16. To recur to the memory: It's all coming back to me now.
  17. To gain possession of; acquire: Mortgages are hard to come by.
  18. To pay a visit.
  19. To lose wealth or position: He has really come down in the world.
    1. To pass or be handed down by tradition: customs that come down from colonial times.
    2. To be handed down from a higher authority: An indictment finally came down.
    3. To arrive: Fall clothes will be coming in soon.
    4. To become available for use: New weather information just came in.
    5. To start producing. Used of an oil well.
    6. To progress or advance in increments: Darkness came on after seven.
    7. To begin in small increments or by degrees: Sleet came on after one o'clock.
    8. To become manifest: The parents' tenderness comes through in their facial expressions.
    9. To be communicated: The coach's displeasure came through loud and clear.
    10. To bring the bow into the wind.
    11. To anchor.
  21. Slang To happen; occur: What's coming down tonight?
  22. Slang To experience diminishing effects of a recreational or hallucinogenic drug.
    1. To arrive: Fall clothes will be coming in soon.
    2. To become available for use: New weather information just came in.
    3. To start producing. Used of an oil well.
    4. To progress or advance in increments: Darkness came on after seven.
    5. To begin in small increments or by degrees: Sleet came on after one o'clock.
    6. To become manifest: The parents' tenderness comes through in their facial expressions.
    7. To be communicated: The coach's displeasure came through loud and clear.
    8. To bring the bow into the wind.
    9. To anchor.
  24. To arrive among those who finish a contest or race: came in fifth.
  25. To perform or function in a particular way: A food processor comes in handy.
  26. To reply in a specified manner to a call or signal: The pilot's voice came in loud and clear.
  27. To take on a specified role: When editorial review commences, that's where you come in.
  28. To happen; occur: The trip came off on schedule.
  29. To acquit oneself: She is sure to come off badly if challenged to explain.
  30. To turn out to be successful: a party that came off.
  31. To convey a particular personal image: comes on as an old-fashioned reactionary.
  32. Slang To show sexual interest in someone: trying to come on to me during the party.
    1. To progress or advance in increments: Darkness came on after seven.
    2. To begin in small increments or by degrees: Sleet came on after one o'clock.
    3. To become manifest: The parents' tenderness comes through in their facial expressions.
    4. To be communicated: The coach's displeasure came through loud and clear.
    5. To bring the bow into the wind.
    6. To anchor.
  34. To hurry up; move rapidly. Often used in the imperative: Would you please come on! We'll be late!
  35. To stop an inappropriate behavior; abandon a position or an attitude; be obliging. Used chiefly in the imperative: You've used the same feeble excuse for weeks. Come on!
  36. To become known: The whole story came out at the trial.
  37. To be issued or brought out: The author's new book just came out.
  38. To make a formal social debut: She came out at age 18 in New York City.
  39. To end up; result: Everything came out wrong.
  40. To declare oneself publicly: The governor came out in favor of tax breaks.
  41. To reveal that one is a gay man, a lesbian, or a bisexual.
  42. To change sides, as in a controversy.
  43. To pay a casual visit.
  44. To do what is required or anticipated: I asked for their help, and they came through.
    1. To become manifest: The parents' tenderness comes through in their facial expressions.
    2. To be communicated: The coach's displeasure came through loud and clear.
    3. To bring the bow into the wind.
    4. To anchor.
  46. To recover consciousness: The fainting victim came to.
  47. Nautical
    1. To bring the bow into the wind.
    2. To anchor.
  48. To manifest itself; arise: The question never came up.
  49. To rise above the horizon: The sun came up.
  50. To rise, as in status or rank: a general who came up from the ranks.
  51. To draw near; approach: came up and said hello.

Phrasal Verb(s):
come about
  1. To take place; happen.
  2. To turn around.
  3. Nautical To change tack.
come across
  1. To meet or find by chance: came across my old college roommate in town today.
  2. Slang
    1. To do what is wanted.
    2. To pay over money that is demanded: came across with the check.
  3. To give an impression: "He comes across as a very sincere, religious individual" (William L. Clay).
come along
  1. To make advances to a goal; progress: Things are coming along fine.
  2. To go with someone else who takes the lead: I'll come along on the hike.
  3. To show up; appear: Don't take the first offer that comes along.
come around/round
  1. To recover, revive: fainted but soon came around.
  2. To change one's opinion or position: You'll come around after you hear the whole story.
come at
  1. To obtain; get: come at an education through study.
  2. To rush at; attack.
come back
  1. To return to or regain past success after a period of misfortune.
  2. To retort; reply: came back with a sharp riposte.
  3. To recur to the memory: It's all coming back to me now.
come between
To cause to be in conflict or estrangement.
come by
  1. To gain possession of; acquire: Mortgages are hard to come by.
  2. To pay a visit.
come down
  1. To lose wealth or position: He has really come down in the world.
    1. To pass or be handed down by tradition: customs that come down from colonial times.
    2. To be handed down from a higher authority: An indictment finally came down.
  3. Slang To happen; occur: What's coming down tonight?
  4. Slang To experience diminishing effects of a recreational or hallucinogenic drug.
come in
    1. To arrive: Fall clothes will be coming in soon.
    2. To become available for use: New weather information just came in.
    3. To start producing. Used of an oil well.
  2. To arrive among those who finish a contest or race: came in fifth.
  3. To perform or function in a particular way: A food processor comes in handy.
  4. To reply in a specified manner to a call or signal: The pilot's voice came in loud and clear.
  5. To take on a specified role: When editorial review commences, that's where you come in.
come into
To acquire, especially as an inheritance: She came into a fortune on her 21st birthday.
come off
  1. To happen; occur: The trip came off on schedule.
  2. To acquit oneself: She is sure to come off badly if challenged to explain.
  3. To turn out to be successful: a party that came off.
come on
  1. To convey a particular personal image: comes on as an old-fashioned reactionary.
  2. Slang To show sexual interest in someone: trying to come on to me during the party.
    1. To progress or advance in increments: Darkness came on after seven.
    2. To begin in small increments or by degrees: Sleet came on after one o'clock.
  4. To hurry up; move rapidly. Often used in the imperative: Would you please come on! We'll be late!
  5. To stop an inappropriate behavior; abandon a position or an attitude; be obliging. Used chiefly in the imperative: You've used the same feeble excuse for weeks. Come on!
come out
  1. To become known: The whole story came out at the trial.
  2. To be issued or brought out: The author's new book just came out.
  3. To make a formal social debut: She came out at age 18 in New York City.
  4. To end up; result: Everything came out wrong.
  5. To declare oneself publicly: The governor came out in favor of tax breaks.
  6. To reveal that one is a gay man, a lesbian, or a bisexual.
come over
  1. To change sides, as in a controversy.
  2. To pay a casual visit.
come through
  1. To do what is required or anticipated: I asked for their help, and they came through.
    1. To become manifest: The parents' tenderness comes through in their facial expressions.
    2. To be communicated: The coach's displeasure came through loud and clear.
come to
  1. To recover consciousness: The fainting victim came to.
  2. Nautical
    1. To bring the bow into the wind.
    2. To anchor.
come up
  1. To manifest itself; arise: The question never came up.
  2. To rise above the horizon: The sun came up.
  3. To rise, as in status or rank: a general who came up from the ranks.
  4. To draw near; approach: came up and said hello.
come upon
To discover or meet by accident.
come with Informal
To accompany someone; go along: I'm going to the store; do you want to come with?

Idiom(s):
come a cropper
To fail utterly.

Idiom(s):
come again
Used as a request to repeat what was said.

Idiom(s):
come clean
To confess all.

Idiom(s):
come down on
To punish, oppose, or reprimand severely and often with force: a district attorney who came down hard on drug dealers.

Idiom(s):
come down to
  1. To confront or deal with forthrightly: When you come right down to it, you have to admit I'm correct.
  2. To amount to in essence: It comes down to this: the man is a cheat.

Idiom(s):
come down with
To become sick with (an illness): came down with the flu.

Idiom(s):
come in for
To receive; be subjected to: came in for harsh criticism.

Idiom(s):
come into (one's) own
  1. To get possession of what belongs to one.
  2. To obtain rightful recognition or prosperity: a concert pianist who has at last come into his own.

Idiom(s):
come off it Slang
To stop acting or speaking foolishly or pretentiously. Often used in the imperative.

Idiom(s):
come out with
  1. To put into words; say: always comes out with the truth.
  2. To reveal publicly: came out with a new tax package.

Idiom(s):
come to blows
To begin a physical fight.

Idiom(s):
come to grief
To meet with disaster; fail.

Idiom(s):
come to grips with
To confront squarely and attempt to deal decisively with: "He had to come to grips with the proposition" (Louis Auchincloss).

Idiom(s):
come to light/hand
To be clearly revealed or disclosed: "A further problem . . . came to light last summer as a result of post-flight inspections" (John Noble Wilford).

Idiom(s):
come to terms
  1. To confront squarely and come to understand fully and objectively: "He attempts to come to terms with his own early experiences . . . and with his father, a con man of extravagant dimensions" (Peter S. Prescott).
  2. To reach mutual agreement: The warring factions have at last come to terms.

Idiom(s):
come true
To happen as predicted: My fondest dreams have at last come true.

Idiom(s):
come up against
To encounter, especially a difficulty or major problem.

Idiom(s):
come up with
To bring forth, discover, or produce: came up with a cure for the disease.

[Middle English comen, from Old English cuman; see gwā- in Indo-European roots.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
come by

verb
1. visit informally and spontaneously; "We frequently drop by the neighbors' house for a cup of coffee" [syn: drop by] 
2. obtain, especially accidentally 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

come by

  1. Acquire, obtain, as in A good assistant is hard to come by. This usage, dating from about 1600, superseded the earlier sense of acquiring something with considerable effort. A variant is come by honestly, meaning "to obtain in some honorable or logical way." For example, I'm sure she didn't come by that large bonus honestly or He does have an unusual gait but he came by it honestly; his father's is the same.

  2. Stop in, visit, as in Please come by whenever you're in the neighborhood. [Late 1800s]


The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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