by-and-by

1 of 2

noun

: a future time or occasion

by and by

2 of 2

adverb

Examples of by-and-by in a Sentence

Noun we shall meet again in the by-and-by Adverb we'll get under way by and by
Recent Examples on the Web
Adverb
The character giving that agonizing scream on the dragon, by and by, is Lady Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia). James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Dec. 2023 But nemesis haunts every heroic age and, by and by, this good court would succumb to the corrupting influence of lesser men. Ian MacDougall, Harper's Magazine, 12 Sep. 2022 Those numbers are going to get better, by and by. Byron McCauley, The Enquirer, 12 Aug. 2020 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'by-and-by.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1591, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1526, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of by-and-by was in 1526

Dictionary Entries Near by-and-by

Cite this Entry

“By-and-by.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by-and-by. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

by-and-by

1 of 2 noun
ˌbī-ən-ˈbī
: a future time or occasion

by and by

2 of 2 adverb
ˌbī-ən-ˈbī
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