past
Often confused with passed
- 1The time that has already gone by, before the present moment.
Like a road behind you that you have already traveled.
She often thinks about her past and the choices she made.
In the past, people traveled long distances by horse.
UsageSay the past and in the past.
Note
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Moving by something and not stopping there.
Like a fast train that does not stop at a small station.
The bus drove past our house without slowing down.
Cars sped past the school all morning.
UsageSay walked past the shop (not
incorrect: walked passed), or passed the shop.Similarby
Less common meanings
- 6
- 7
- 8Moving so as to go by someone or something.
The parade marched past while we watched from the curb.
He ran straight past without saying hello.
UsageSay ran past or went past.
Similarby
- 9No longer able to do something.
He's past running marathons at his age.
The old car is past saving and should be scrapped.
UsageSay someone is past caring.
Similarbeyond
- 10
- 11
- 12Placed after a time amount to show how long before now something happened.
That had been, what, three years past?
1999, George R.R. Martin, A Clash of Kings
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
It comes from the Middle English word "past," which was the past participle of "passen," meaning "to pass."
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- English past comes from a Middle English past participle of passen. en.wikipedia.org
- Middle English passen meant to pass. en.wiktionary.org