FluencyCraft

pass

"Pass" is a very versatile word in English with many meanings — here are the most common ones you'll encounter. It can be a verb, a noun, and even an adjective in some uses. The core idea behind most senses is movement or transfer — something going from one place, person, or state to another.

1verbmove past

When you go past someone or something — you move beyond it. Think of walking down a street and going by a shop without stopping. You passed it.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

She passed me in the hallway without saying a word.

The train passed the station at full speed.

We passed a beautiful lake on our way to the mountains.

2verbhand something to someone

When you pick something up and give it to another person nearby, you pass it to them. It's a very common word at the dinner table or in a classroom.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

Could you pass me the salt, please?

He passed the document to his colleague.

She passed the ball to her teammate.

3verbsucceed in a test or exam

When you take a test and get a good enough score to succeed, you pass. The opposite is 'fail'. This is one of the most important uses of this word for students!

education · Modern, widely used

I studied hard and passed my English exam.

Only 60% of students passed the driving test.

You need at least 50 points to pass this course.

4verbfigurativetime goes by

When time moves forward — hours, days, or years go by — you can say time passes. It's a gentle, slightly poetic way to talk about time moving.

everyday language · Modern, widely used · figurative

Three years passed before they met again.

Time passes so quickly when you are having fun.

As the weeks passed, she began to feel better.

5nouna document or ticket that allows entry

A pass is something — a card, a ticket, or a document — that gives you permission to go somewhere or do something. Think of a backstage pass at a concert, or a bus pass.

everyday language / business · Modern, widely used

You need a security pass to enter the building.

She bought a monthly bus pass to save money.

The journalist received a press pass for the event.

6nouna route through mountains

In geography, a pass is a narrow path or route that goes through a mountain range. It's the low point between two peaks where people or roads can cross.

geography / travel · Modern, widely used

The soldiers crossed the mountain pass in winter.

The Khyber Pass is one of the most famous mountain passes in the world.

Heavy snow blocked the pass for several days.

Content generated by AI — may contain inaccuracies