verb

pass

pahs

verb

To move from one place, position, or state to another.

"We passed through three towns on the drive home."

"Ownership of the house passed to her daughter."

To succeed in a test, exam, or inspection.

"She passed her driving test on the first attempt."

"The bill passed both houses of parliament."

To hand something to someone, or to send the ball to a teammate in sport.

"Could you pass the salt, please?"

"He passed the ball to his striker just outside the box."

To decline a turn or an opportunity.

"I'll pass on dessert tonight, thanks."

noun

A document or ticket granting entry or permission.

"You'll need a pass to get backstage."

A narrow route through mountains.

"The hikers crossed the pass just before the snow set in."

How to Use Pass

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA very flexible word covering movement, success in a test, handing something over, and declining a turn.

Common pairings

pass an exam pass the ball pass by mountain pass boarding pass

Word Forms

passed past tense, pass plural, passed plural, passes plural, passes plural, passes singular, pass singular, passed singular, passest singular, passedst singular, passeth singular

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Can you complete this real example?

We _____ through three towns on the drive home.

Etymology

From Old French passer, "to step or walk by," ultimately from Latin passus, "a step" — the same root behind "pace."

Rhymes for pass

mass bass dass lass sass Cass Kass grass brass class glass amass

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