passing

Pluralpassings

1. 1
   going past nowverb

   Present participle and gerund of pass: the verb itself in any of its meanings, as in "is passing" or "after passing".

   The hikers were passing through the valley at dusk.

   Time keeps passing whether we notice it or not.

   Note

   The verb form that every other sense of the word grows from: pass plus -ing. In is passing it is a participle carrying the progressive. In passing the ball well matters it is a gerund, a verb doing a noun's job. Before a noun, as in passing cars, it can still be a participle; when it takes a plural, as in passings, it is a true noun. Source

   Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 5 facts

   • Passing derives from pass plus -ing. en.wiktionary.org
   • In is passing, passing is a present participle forming the progressive. en.wikipedia.org
   • Passing in passing the ball well matters is a gerund heading a phrase functioning as subject. owl.purdue.edu
   • Placement before a noun does not establish conversion into an adjective: participial verb phrases can also modify nouns in that position. lel.ed.ac.uk
   • Passings is a plural noun. en.wiktionary.org
2. 2
   adjective

   Going by or moving past a particular point, person or place; (of time) going by.

   The dog barked at passing cyclists all afternoon.

   He caught sight of her face from a passing train.

3. 3
   deathnounusually singular

   A softer way of referring to death or dying, or to the end of a person's life or of something.

   News of his passing spread quietly through the small town.

   The nation paused to honor the passing of its longest-serving leader.

   UsageUsually with a possessive or of: her passing, the passing of a leader. A gentle, respectful word, common in news of a death.

   Similardeath, demise, loss

   Oppositebirth

4. 4
   noununcountable

   The act of sending a ball or puck to a teammate during play.

   The coach praised the team's crisp passing in the second half.

   Quick passing through midfield set up the winning goal in the final minute.

   UsageUsually names the skill or activity as a whole, by a player or a team (good passing); one throw or kick is a pass.

5. 5
   adjective

   Meeting the standard required to succeed in an exam, course, test, or inspection, or marking that one has succeeded.

   Students must earn a passing score of 70 or higher on the final exam.

   After the repairs, the building finally got a passing inspection from the fire marshal.

   UsageMost often in passing grade and passing score.

   Similarsatisfactory, acceptable

6. 6
   noununcountable

   The act or event of something going by or going past, as in the passing of the years, or of moving from one place or condition to another.

   The passing of time slowly healed old wounds.

   With the passing of winter into spring, the days grew longer.

   UsageUsually the passing of something: the passing of time, the passing of winter.

   Similarprogression, transition

   Note

   Beside the passing of time, Oliver Onions's The Story of Louie (1913) speaks of "passings and repassings" by a folding door, each trip a separate event.

7. 7
   noununcountable

   The formal approval of a bill or proposed law by a legislative body.

   The passing of the reform bill marked a turning point in the session.

   Months of debate preceded the passing of the budget.

   UsageUsually the passing of a bill or law; the passage of a bill means the same and is also common.

   Similarpassage, enactment, approval, adoption

   Oppositedefeat, rejection

8. 8
   not detailedadjective

   Brief and cursory; given without close attention or detail.

   The book makes only passing reference to the war.

   He paid the subject passing attention before changing topics.

   UsageUsually with comment, reference, glance or acquaintance: make a passing comment, a passing acquaintance with someone.

   Similarcursory, brief, casual, superficial

   Oppositethorough, detailed, close

   Note

   In 2011 The Guardian notes that Rick Santorum made "one passing reference" to authenticity, a dig readers could be excused for missing. That is the heart of the word: what is said in passing is easily overlooked.

9. 9
   short-livedadjective

   Lasting only briefly and soon coming to an end; not permanent.

   Her interest in painting proved to be a passing phase.

   He dismissed the trend as a passing fashion that would soon fade.

   UsageUsually before the noun, and best known in a passing fancy and a passing phase.

   Similartemporary, brief, fleeting, transient, short-lived

   Oppositepermanent, lasting, enduring

   Note

   Here the adjective describes what will not stay: hours, fancies, a feeling expected to blow over. It stands before its noun, as in the passing hours of Byron's Lara (1814), Stevie Wonder's use of it in "I'd Be a Fool Right Now" (1968), and a passing internet fancy in The Guardian (2010). The same idea of passing away underlies the noun for death.

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