Library / English Dictionary

BY ALL MEANS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adverb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Definitely or certainly

Example:

Visit us by all means

Classified under:

Adverbs

Domain usage:

colloquialism (a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech)

Antonym:

by no means (definitely not)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Be honest and poor, by all means—but I shall not envy you; I do not much think I shall even respect you.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Call upon her, by all means.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

'My dear Courtland,' said I, immediately throwing them all into the fire, 'do not adopt either of them, but by all means build a cottage.'

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Believe her to be deceived, by all means.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

By all means, my dear, cried Mrs Musgrove, go home directly, and take care of yourself, that you may be fit for the evening.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

By all means.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Yes, let it proceed, by all means.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

If you have someone dear to you, by all means create a plan to celebrate your love.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Oh, said the ass, by all means go with us to the great city; you are a good night singer, and may make your fortune as a musician.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

"Surely, colonel," cried Lady Ingram, "you would not encourage such a low impostor? Dismiss her, by all means, at once!"

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)