Definition of 'come by'

Word Frequency

come by

phrasal verb

To come by something means to obtain it or find it.

How did you come by that cheque? [VERB PARTICLE noun]

In rural France, English language magazines are rather hard to come by. [VERB PARTICLE noun]

come

Word Frequency

come by in British

verb

(intr, preposition)

to find or obtain (a thing), esp accidentally

do you ever come by any old books?

Word Frequency

come by in American

to get; acquire; gain

2. US

to pay a visit

come

Example sentences containing 'come by'

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With his lack of imagination, reasons would be hard to come by. Kerr, Katharine A TIME OF WARAccommodation for men without money is harder to come by in this great city of ours. Thomas, Rosie THE WHITE DOVE

The Sandinistas aren't apt to come by for a visit unannounced. Collins, Larry BLACK EAGLES (1993)

Trends of 'come by'

In Common Usage. come by is one of the 10000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Nearby words of 'come by'

Source

Definition of come by from the Collins English Dictionary

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