passing

Pluralpassings

1. 1
   going past nowverb

   Present participle and gerund of pass. Use it after is, are or was, or as the name of the action.

   The cars are passing quickly on the highway.

   She is passing the salt to her father.

   Note
2. 2
   adjective

   Going past a place or person, or (of time) going by.

   She waved at every passing car on the road.

   A passing stranger stopped to help him up.

3. 3
   deathnounusually singular

   A gentle word for someone's death, or the end of something.

   Her passing left the whole family heartbroken.

   We gathered to mark the passing of a much-loved teacher.

   UsageSay her passing or the passing of someone. It is a kind, polite way to talk about death.

   Similardeath, demise, loss

   Oppositebirth

4. 4
   noununcountable

   Sending a ball or puck to a teammate during a game.

   Like throwing a ball to a friend so they can take their turn.

   Her passing improved a lot over the season.

   Good passing helped the team score three goals.

   UsageUse it for how well a player or team passes; one throw or kick is a pass.

5. 5
   adjective

   Meeting the level needed to pass a test, class, or check, or showing that you passed.

   You need a passing grade in math to move on to the next class.

   The old bridge got a passing rating from the safety team.

   UsageMost often in passing grade and passing score.

   Similarsatisfactory, acceptable

6. 6
   noununcountable

   The act of moving past, or a change from one place or state to another.

   From the porch, we watched the slow passing of the clouds.

   We watched the passing of the parade from the balcony.

   UsageUsually the passing of something, like the passing of time.

   Similarprogression, transition

   Note
7. 7
   noununcountable

   The approval of a new law by lawmakers.

   The passing of the new law took several years.

   Everyone celebrated the passing of the bill that night.

   UsageSay the passing of a law or a bill. The passage of a bill means the same.

   Similarpassage, enactment, approval, adoption

   Oppositedefeat, rejection

8. 8
   not detailedadjective

   Quick and not detailed, done without much attention.

   He gave the report only a passing glance before signing it.

   She made a passing comment about the weather and moved on.

   UsageOften in a passing comment or a passing glance.

   Similarcursory, brief, casual, superficial

   Oppositethorough, detailed, close

   Note
9. 9
   short-livedadjective

   Lasting only a short time and soon gone.

   Like a cloud that moves across the sky and then is gone.

   It was just a passing mood, and she felt better by lunch.

   Fame can be a passing thing for young performers.

   UsageOften in a passing phase or a passing fancy.

   Similartemporary, brief, fleeting, transient, short-lived

   Oppositepermanent, lasting, enduring

   Note

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