Passing
/ˈpæsɪŋ/
Definitions
8 meaningsTo move or cause to move in a particular direction, often past something or someone.
/ˈpæsɪŋ/
To move or cause to move in a specified direction
The train is passing through the tunnel.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're walking down the street and a dog *passes* you, that means it walks by you!
👶 For kids: When something goes by you, like a car or a person walking.
More Examples
The runner passed the finish line.
As we drove, we passed several farms.
She passed the salt to her friend.
How It's Used
"The car was passing the slower truck."
"He passed the ball to his teammate."
To achieve a satisfactory standard in a test, exam, or assessment.
/ˈpæsɪŋ/
To succeed in a test or examination
She passed the exam with a high score.
💡 Simply: Imagine you took a test at school and got the correct answers. If you did well on the test, you *passed*!
👶 For kids: When you do well on a test.
More Examples
He managed to pass the driving test after several attempts.
The student passed the course with a B.
She felt relieved when she passed the audition.
How It's Used
"She passed her driving test on the first try."
"He passed the bar exam with flying colors."
To go beyond a specified limit or boundary, or to make official.
/ˈpæsɪŋ/
To go beyond or exceed a limit or boundary
The legislation was passed by Congress.
💡 Simply: Imagine you’re playing a game and you go past the line. You've *passed* the line.
👶 For kids: To go over something like a line or a time.
More Examples
The deadline for applications has passed.
She passed the point of no return.
The river passed its banks during the flood.
How It's Used
"The law passed a specific date."
"He passed his budget."
To spend time; to cause time to go by.
/ˈpæsɪŋ/
To spend or spend time
They passed the evening watching movies.
💡 Simply: What did you do to make time go by?
👶 For kids: To spend time.
More Examples
How did you pass your summer vacation?
She passed the time by reading a book.
We passed a pleasant hour chatting.
How It's Used
"They passed a delightful afternoon."
"How did you pass your time?"
To be accepted or considered as being something.
/ˈpæsɪŋ/
To be regarded or accepted as something
He passed as a native speaker.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to look like someone else. It means that others think you look like you are.
👶 For kids: To make people think you are something you're not.
More Examples
She was able to pass for a celebrity.
The painting passed as a genuine masterpiece.
He was able to pass as an employee.
How It's Used
"He's considered passing as an expert."
"She passed as a member of the aristocracy."
Adequate; good enough to meet a requirement or standard; acceptable.
/ˈpæsɪŋ/
Adequate, satisfactory, or allowable
The examination results showed that they achieved a passing mark.
💡 Simply: If something is good enough, but not super amazing, it's *passing*.
👶 For kids: It's good, but not great.
More Examples
She gave the food a passing review.
The effort was considered a passing attempt.
The car performed with passing performance.
How It's Used
"She got a passing grade."
"The food was passing."
Brief or fleeting; not intended to last long.
/ˈpæsɪŋ/
Brief or fleeting
She showed a passing interest in the subject.
💡 Simply: Something that is *passing* doesn't last long, like a quick look at something.
👶 For kids: Short, quick, or not meant to stay for long.
More Examples
He took only a passing glance at the newspaper.
There was a passing rain shower.
The feeling was just a passing phase.
How It's Used
"He had a passing interest in art."
"I only had a passing glance."
The act of passing or being passed; the instance of something being passed.
/ˈpæsɪŋ/
The act of passing something
The team relied heavily on their passing game.
💡 Simply: When you give something to someone else. Like when the football is *passed* in a game.
👶 For kids: Giving something to someone.
More Examples
The passing of the law was celebrated by many.
She watched the passing of the storm.
The passing of time can be measured in years.
How It's Used
"The quarterback's pass was intercepted."
"The passing of the bill was a historic moment."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
passing grade
The lowest grade that is considered acceptable.
"He needed a passing grade to graduate."
in passing
While doing something else; incidentally or casually.
"I mentioned it in passing during our conversation."
pass the time
To spend time in a relaxed way.
"They played cards to pass the time."
From Middle English passen, from Old French passer (“to pass, go through”), from Latin passus (“a step, pace”).
The word 'pass' has been used since the 13th century, with the meaning evolving from physical movement to include concepts of evaluation, time, and social acceptance.
Memory tip
Picture a car *passing* you on the highway - it's moving *past* you.
Word Origin
"a step, pace"