drive-by

1 of 2

adjective

ˈdrīv-ˈbī 

1

: carried out from a moving vehicle

a drive-by shooting

2

: done or made in a quick or cursory manner

drive-by

2 of 2

noun

ˈdrīv-ˌbī 

plural drive-bys

: a drive-by shooting

Synonyms

Adjective

• cursory
• flying
• gadarene
• hasty
• headlong
• helter-skelter
• hurried
• overhasty
• pell-mell
• precipitate
• precipitous
• rash
• rushed

Examples of drive-by in a Sentence

Adjective

the administrator's schedule left her with no time to make more than a drive-by assessment of the situation

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The incidents range from minor vandalism, such as keying or graffiti, to more extreme cases like arson and drive-by shootings allegedly targeting Tesla vehicles. —Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2025

Brandon Boudreaux, the estranged husband of Lori's niece (who had also joined the cult), narrowly avoided being hit during a drive-by shooting near his Gilbert home in October 2019. —Jessica Boehm, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025

Noun

There’s a confidence to running your restaurant in a neighborhood that doesn’t rely on tourists, window shoppers or drive-by traffic. —Mara Severin | Eating Out, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Mar. 2023

According to The Columbian, at the time of his arrest Sunday, Warren was out on bail after being charged with drive-by shooting, assault and felony harassment; he is accused of firing a gun at Melendez's apartment earlier this month. —Tristan Balagtas, Peoplemag, 23 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1968, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1977, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for drive-by

• abscissae
• alibi
• alkali
• alumni
• amoebae
• amplify
• annuli
• beautify
• brachii
• butterfly
• calculi
• certify