pass
gb/pˈæs/ us/pˈæs/
A1
English
~ 600
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Move past something or someone
To go by someone or something.
Usage pattern:
to pass [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'pass' with 'spend' when talking about time; 'pass' means time goes by, 'spend' means you use time for something.
Synonyms
overtake (Often used for passing another vehicle, especially in British English.)
Antonyms
stay (To remain in the same position instead of moving past.)
Collocations
pass a car
|pass a building
|pass the time
Themes
travel
|daily life
|space
|transportation
Examples
- I saw her pass me on the street.
- We passed several farms on our way to the city.
- The bus passed the old library and turned left.
Learner examples
- The train will pass my town at 3 p.m.
- I pass the park on my way to work.
- We pass many shops before we get to school.
Verb
A2
action
2
Succeed in a test or exam
To get a good enough score in a test or exam.
Usage pattern:
to pass [a test/exam/course]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes mistakenly say 'win an exam' instead of 'pass an exam'.
Synonyms
succeed (A more general term for doing well at something; not limited to tests.)
Antonyms
fail (To not achieve the required standard in a test or exam.)
Collocations
pass an exam
|pass a test
|pass a course
Themes
education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She passed her driving test on the first try.
- I studied hard but still didn't pass the exam.
- If you pass this course, you can move on to the next level.
Learner examples
- I want to pass my English test.
- He did not pass the math exam.
- She hopes to pass the driving test soon.
Verb
A1
action
3
Give something to someone
To give something to another person by hand or movement.
Usage pattern:
to pass [something] to [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'pass' with 'give'; 'pass' often implies a short movement between people in close proximity.
Synonyms
hand (More direct and physical; often means placing something into someone's hand.)
Antonyms
keep (To hold onto something instead of giving it to someone else.)
Collocations
pass the salt
|pass a note
|pass the ball
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Could you pass me the salt, please?
- He passed the ball to his teammate.
- Please pass this note to Sarah.
Learner examples
- Pass me the pen, please.
- She passes the ball to him.
- Can you pass this to my friend?
Verb
B1
event
4
Time goes by
When time goes forward.
Synonyms
elapse (More formal; often used in official contexts.)
Antonyms
stop (For time, figuratively meaning not moving forward.)
Collocations
time passes quickly
|hours passed
|days pass
Themes
time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The summer passed quickly this year.
- Several hours passed before help arrived.
- As time passes, things change.
Learner examples
- The day passed slowly.
- Two weeks passed before she called.
- Time passes very fast when you are happy.
Verb
B2
event
5
Be approved by vote or decision
When people vote to accept a law or plan.
Synonyms
approve (General term for agreeing to something officially.)
Antonyms
reject (To not approve something after consideration.)
Collocations
pass a law
|pass a bill
|pass a resolution
Themes
politics
|law
Examples
- The committee passed the proposal unanimously.
- Congress passed the new environmental law last week.
- The motion was passed after hours of debate.
Learner examples
- They passed a new law yesterday.
- The group passed the plan quickly.
- Our town passed new rules last month.
Verb
B1
action
6
Decline offer or participation
To say no politely when someone offers you something or asks you to join in.
Synonyms
decline (Slightly more formal; common in professional contexts.)
Antonyms
accept (To agree to take what is offered.)
Collocations
pass on dessert
|pass on an opportunity
Themes
social
|communication
|daily_life
Examples
- I think I'll pass on dessert tonight.
- She passed on the chance to work abroad.
- Thanks for inviting me, but I'll have to pass.
Learner examples
- I will pass on the cake, thank you.
- He passed on the trip because he was busy.
- They asked me to play, but I passed.
Noun
A2
entity
7
Official document for permission
A paper or card that lets you go into a place or do something.
Synonyms
permit (A more general term for any official permission document.)
Collocations
boarding pass
|season pass
|security pass
Themes
travel
|law
Examples
- You need a boarding pass to get on the plane.
- He showed his security pass at the entrance.
- We bought season passes for the amusement park.
Learner examples
- I have a bus pass.
- Show your boarding pass at the gate.
- This is my season pass for the park.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pass
IPA
GB/pˈæs/
US/pˈæs/
Syllables & stress
pass (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (pass)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: pass
- Plural: passes
Verb
- Base: pass
- 3rd Person Singular: passes
- Present Participle: passing
- Past: passed
Word family
Expressions
come to pass
1/kˈʌm tə pˈæs/
idiom
literary
Happen as expected/predicted
When something happens after being planned, expected, or talked about before.
Examples
- Many of his predictions came to pass.
- The changes finally came to pass after years of discussion.
pass away
1/pˈæs əwˈeɪ/
phrasal verb
Die (polite)
To die (polite way of saying).
Examples
- Her grandfather passed away last night.
- Many years have passed away since that event.
pass on (something)
1/pˈæs ˈɔn sˈʌmθɪŋ/
phrasal verb
Politely decline offer/opportunity
To say no politely when someone offers you something or asks you to join in.
Examples
- I’ll pass on dessert tonight, thanks.
- She decided to pass on the job offer.
pass out
1/pˈæs ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Become unconscious suddenly
To suddenly become unconscious for a short time.
Examples
- He passed out from the heat.
- She felt dizzy and almost passed out.
with flying colors
1/wˈɪθ flˈaɪɪŋ kˈʌlɚz/
idiom
informal
Succeed very well (tests/challenges)
To do something very well and get great results, especially in a test or competition.
Examples
- She passed her final exams with flying colors.
- He completed the training with flying colors.