Meaning & use

pass

verb·Everyday

To move past or through something; to succeed in a test; or to hand something to another person.

See it in a sentence

She reached across the table to pass the salt to her brother.

He studied hard for weeks and finally managed to pass the exam.

A note on using this word

Pass has many uses, from sports and traffic to time passing and exams, so context shapes its exact meaning.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

fail

Another way to use it

2. noun

A document or ticket permitting entry or free travel, or a successful result on a test.

He showed his pass to the security guard at the entrance.

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