Phrase guide

go by

verb · 8 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To pass or go past without much interaction.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • I like to sit and watch the world go by. The rest of the day went by quickly.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: pass by, go by, fly by, forpass, forthglide, overgo, pass, roll on, slip by, transpass

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To be called, to use as a name.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • His full name is Ernest Tinkleton, but he goes by Ernie.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To suggest or request that other people use a specific set of gender pronouns when referring to the subject.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • I go by they/them pronouns.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: use

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To follow; to assume as true for the purposes of making a decision, taking an action, etc.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • I'm only going by what my teacher said.
  • a good rule to go by

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

be or act in accordance with

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Go by this rule and you'll be safe

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: follow, conform to

6

verb

Meaning 6

be called; go by a certain name

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • She goes by her maiden name again

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: go under

Antonyms: none provided

7

verb

Meaning 7

move past

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • A black limousine passed by when she looked out the window
  • He passed his professor in the hall
  • One line of soldiers surpassed the other

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: travel by, pass by, surpass, go past, pass

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: travel, go, move, locomote

Narrower terms: skirt, run by, fly by, zip by, whisk by

8

verb

Meaning 8

pass by

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • three years elapsed

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: elapse, lapse, pass, slip by, glide by, slip away, slide by, go along

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: advance, progress, pass on, move on, march on, go on

Narrower terms: fly, fell, vanish

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

39 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Cebuano: labay — to pass by without paying attention to
  • Chinese Cantonese: 路過 /路过 (lou6 gwo3) — to pass by without paying attention to
  • Chinese Mandarin: 路過 /路过 (lùguò) — to pass by without paying attention to
  • Esperanto: pasi — to pass by without paying attention to
  • Finnish: mennä ohi — to pass by without paying attention to
  • French: passer — to pass by without paying attention to
  • French: ignorer — to pass by without paying attention to
  • German: vorbeigehen — to pass by without paying attention to
  • German: vorbeifahren — to pass by without paying attention to
  • Japanese: 擦れ違う (surechigau) — to pass by without paying attention to
  • Latin: praeterbito — to pass by without paying attention to
  • Latin: praetereo — to pass by without paying attention to
  • Mongolian: өнгөрөх (öngöröx) — to pass by without paying attention to
  • Northern Ohlone: nitkókni wá̄ka — to pass by without paying attention to
  • Polish: mijać — to pass by without paying attention to
  • Polish: minąć — to pass by without paying attention to
  • Portuguese: passar — to pass by without paying attention to
  • Russian: проходи́ть (proxodítʹ) — to pass by without paying attention to
  • Russian: проходи́ть ми́мо (proxodítʹ mímo) — to pass by without paying attention to
  • Serbo-Croatian: mimoići — to pass by without paying attention to
  • Spanish: pasar — to pass by without paying attention to
  • Chinese Mandarin: 称呼 (chēng hu) — to be called, to use as a name
  • Esperanto: nomiĝi — to be called, to use as a name
  • Finnish: kutsua — to be called, to use as a name
  • French: se faire appeler — to be called, to use as a name
  • Polish: mieć na imię — to be called, to use as a name
  • Polish: mieć na nazwisko — to be called, to use as a name
  • Spanish: me llaman ... — to be called, to use as a name
  • Esperanto: sekvi — to follow; to assume as true for the purposes of making a decision, taking an action, etc.
  • Finnish: noudattaa — to follow; to assume as true for the purposes of making a decision, taking an action, etc.
  • French: suivre — to follow; to assume as true for the purposes of making a decision, taking an action, etc.
  • French: se fier à — to follow; to assume as true for the purposes of making a decision, taking an action, etc.
  • Polish: sądzić po — to follow; to assume as true for the purposes of making a decision, taking an action, etc.
  • Polish: osądzać po — to follow; to assume as true for the purposes of making a decision, taking an action, etc.
  • Polish: osądzić po — to follow; to assume as true for the purposes of making a decision, taking an action, etc.
  • Russian: сле́довать (slédovatʹ) — to follow; to assume as true for the purposes of making a decision, taking an action, etc.
  • Spanish: extrapolar / inferir / fiarse de — to follow; to assume as true for the purposes of making a decision, taking an action, etc.
  • Spanish: guiarse por — to follow; to assume as true for the purposes of making a decision, taking an action, etc.
  • Spanish: seguir — to follow; to assume as true for the purposes of making a decision, taking an action, etc.