by the time

conjunction
UK: /baɪ ðə taɪm/
US: /baɪ ðə taɪm/

  1. At or before the moment that something happens.

    1. By the time I got to the store, it was closed. [ ] [ ]
    2. By the time the firemen arrived at the house, it was already burned to the ground. [ ] [ ]

  2. When something else has already happened or will have happened.

    1. By the time you read this, I will be gone. [ ] [ ]
    2. By the time he finishes the race, it will have been running for more than two hours. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

before as soon as when
by the time preposition

  1. Before a specific time or event.

    1. By the time of the party, I will buy a present. [ ] [ ]
    2. By the time of the concert, tickets are usually all sold, so purchase them early. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "by the time" in English means: At or before the moment that something happens., When something else has already happened or will have happened..

The phonetic transcription of "by the time" is /baɪ ðə taɪm/ in British English and /baɪ ðə taɪm/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "by the time": before, as soon as, when.

Example usage of "by the time": "By the time I got to the store, it was closed.". More examples on the page.