one by one meaning and definition

ONE BY ONE adverb

Definition of one by one (adverb)

1. in single file
   • "the prisoners came out one by one"
   • synonyms: one after another, one at a time
2. one piece at a time
   • "she sold the plates by the piece"
   • synonyms: by the piece
3. apart from others
   • "taken individually, the rooms were, in fact, square"; "the fine points are treated singly"
   • synonyms: individually, on an individual basis, separately, severally, singly