forby

or for·bye

[ fawr-bahy ]

/ fɔrˈbaɪ /

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preposition, adverb Chiefly Scot.

close by; near.

besides.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of forby

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English forbi “past in space or time,” from for- “fore-” + by; see fore¹, by

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use forby in a sentence

To be sure there are fords, and a bridge forbye,” quoth Alan; “and of what service, when they are watched?
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 10 (of 25)|Robert Louis Stevenson
There's naebody else stannin' forbye that man Pozzlethaite, and he disna verra weel ken what he is himsel'.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 62, No. 383, September 1847|Various
Forbye that I have nobody but myself to look after my reputation, and have been long enough alone with a sedooctive youth.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 11 (of 25)|Robert Louis Stevenson
It wouldna be greatly to my taste; and forbye that, I see reasons against it.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 11 (of 25)|Robert Louis Stevenson

Forbye that they were baith—or they baith seemed—earnest professors and men of comely conversation.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 11 (of 25)|Robert Louis Stevenson

British Dictionary definitions for forby

forby

forbye

/ (fɔːˈbaɪ, Scottish fərˈbaɪ) /

preposition, adverb Scot

besides; in addition (to)

obsolete near; nearby

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012