English Explanatory Dictionary

by the by

English dictionary entry

Meanings

prep_phrase
  1. Used to introduce a new topic; incidentally, by the way.
adj
  1. Incidental; unplanned.

Word forms

by the by by the bye by-the-by by-the-bye more by the by most by the by

Etymology

The second "by" is a noun meaning "a secondary issue". Phrase used since the 17th century.

Synonyms

accidental causeless random accidentary adventitious by accident by the by casual chanceable fortuitous incidental lippening occasional serendipitous unforeseen unintended unintentional unplanned

Related words

by the way
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