passing
passing — noun
1. sending the ball to another player on the same side during play.
sending the ball to another player on the same side during play.
Coach Lin praised the team's passing after the 3-0 win.
the team's passing
Poor passing gave the other side the ball again.
good/poor passing
Taipei United's passing looked sharp throughout the first half of Saturday's match.
A quick passing move opened space near the goal.
collocation: passing move
- good passing
- poor passing
- sharp passing
- a passing move
- distribution
used especially in football for how a player sends the ball to others
- ball movement
a broader phrase that can include players moving as well as the ball
- build-up play
wider than passing alone because it includes the team's attacking shape
Grammar Patterns
good passing
poor passing
quick passing move
the team's passing
Usage Note
Usually uncountable and common in team-sport talk. It often describes the overall quality or style of moving the ball, not one single pass.
Common Mistakes
2. handing an item from one person to another.
handing an item from one person to another.
The passing of the bread around the table took a minute.
the passing of + noun
A nurse watched the passing of clean towels to each room.
the passing of + noun + to + person/place
During class, Mia stopped the passing of notes to Ben.
Workers formed a line for the passing of bricks to the roof.
- the passing of the bread
- the passing of notes
- the passing of boxes
- the passing of something to someone
Grammar Patterns
the passing of something
the passing of something to someone
Usage Note
Most often appears in the pattern 'the passing of X to Y'. It usually refers to physical objects being moved by hand from one person to another.
Common Mistakes
3. a judge's formal statement of the punishment for a crime.
a judge's formal statement of the punishment for a crime.
The victim's family attended the passing of sentence on Friday.
fixed phrase: the passing of sentence
Reporters waited outside court for the passing of sentence.
The passing of sentence was delayed after police found a new video.
passive pattern with 'was delayed'
Silence filled Court 4 before the passing of sentence on the driver.
- the passing of sentence
- attend the passing of sentence
- delay the passing of sentence
- sentencing
the usual modern legal noun for this process
- judgment
can include the court's decision itself, not only the punishment stage
- pronouncement
very formal and focuses on the public announcement
Grammar Patterns
the passing of sentence
delay the passing of sentence
Usage Note
Largely fixed in the legal phrase 'the passing of sentence'. It is formal and mainly appears in court reporting rather than everyday conversation.
Common Mistakes
4. formal approval that turns a bill or measure into law.
formal approval that turns a bill or measure into law.
The minister welcomed the passing of the new housing bill.
the passing of + bill/law/measure
Crowds gathered outside Parliament after the passing of the law.
Months of debate led to the passing of a new tax law on online sales.
Small business groups opposed the passing of the late-night delivery measure.
- the passing of a bill
- the passing of a law
- the passing of a measure
- after the passing of the law
Grammar Patterns
the passing of a bill
the passing of a law
the passing of a measure
Usage Note
Commonly followed by 'of' plus 'bill', 'law', or 'measure'. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about official approval, not physically handing something over.
Common Mistakes
5. success in reaching the mark needed in a test or course.
success in reaching the mark needed in a test or course.
Lena's passing of the driving test surprised even her brother.
someone's passing of + exam/test
Their passing of the final exam earned a family dinner.
Jin celebrated his passing of the math course with noodles.
After months of study, Rosa's passing of the test felt unreal.
- passing of the test
- passing of the exam
- passing of the course
- someone's passing of the driving test
- success
much broader and not limited to tests or courses
- qualification
often names the result gained after passing, not the act itself
- completion
can mean finishing something even without meeting the required standard
- failure
means not reaching the needed mark or standard
Grammar Patterns
someone's passing of the test
passing of the exam
passing of the course
Usage Note
Often follows a possessive, as in 'her passing of the test'. It names success in meeting a required standard, unlike sense 4, which is about a law being approved.
Common Mistakes
6. movement that carries someone or something past another thing.
movement that carries someone or something past another thing.
The train's passing shook cups on the kitchen shelf.
the passing of a vehicle / object
The dog barked at the passing of a runner in red shoes.
at the passing of + person
We waited for the passing of the bus before crossing.
The close passing of the truck made Noah step back.
close passing
- the passing of a train
- the passing of traffic
- at her passing
- close passing
- passage
more general and can also mean a route, section of text, or trip
- going by
an everyday phrase rather than a formal noun
- overtaking
narrower because it specifically means moving ahead of another vehicle
Grammar Patterns
the passing of a train
at someone's passing
close passing
Usage Note
Can be countable or uncountable and is often used with vehicles, people, or moments of moving by. Distinguish from noun sense 7, which is about time reaching a point, and noun sense 8, which means a brief remark.
7. the end of a stated period of time.
the end of a stated period of time.
After the passing of ten days, the hotel kept Mia's full deposit.
after the passing of + period
After the passing of one year, the farm lease ended by itself.
after the passing of + period
Upon the passing of thirty days, Maya lost the right to return the coat.
After the passing of the first month, Nia could cancel without a fee.
- upon the passing of ten days
- after the passing of one year
- the passing of thirty days
- expiry
common for a time limit or legal period coming to an end
- lapse
often used for the ending of time or of a right because time has run out
- completion
broader and can mean finishing a task as well as a period ending
- beginning
the point where the period starts instead of ends
Grammar Patterns
after the passing of + period
upon the passing of + period
Usage Note
Mostly used in formal phrases such as 'after the passing of' or 'upon the passing of' followed by a time period. Distinguish from noun sense 9, which describes time moving on in general rather than one period reaching its end.
Common Mistakes
8. a quick remark made while another subject is being discussed.
a quick remark made while another subject is being discussed.
Lena mentioned the broken window only in passing at lunch.
fixed phrase: in passing
The teacher referred to Paris in passing before starting the map lesson.
refer to something in passing
Marcus said in passing that his sister might move to Kaohsiung.
in passing + that-clause
During the interview, the coach brought up retirement in passing.
- in passing
- mention in passing
- say in passing
- refer to something in passing
- aside
can also mean a comment directed quietly to one side in drama or conversation
- side comment
more informal and less fixed than 'in passing'
- incidental mention
more formal and emphasizes that the point was not the main topic
- main topic
the subject being discussed in full rather than briefly
Grammar Patterns
in passing
mention something in passing
say in passing that-clause
Usage Note
Almost always appears in the phrase 'in passing', often after verbs like 'say', 'mention', 'refer to', or 'bring up'. Distinguish from noun sense 6, which is physical movement past something, and noun sense 7, which is about a period ending.
Common Mistakes
9. time continuing forward as days, months, and years go by.
time continuing forward as days, months, and years go by.
The passing of time softened their anger after the family fight.
the passing of time
Old photos show the passing of time in the fishing village.
With the passing of years, the shop became a family museum.
with the passing of years
For children at beach camp, the passing of summer feels too fast.
- the passing of time
- with the passing of years
- the passing of summer
- passage of time
the closest formal equivalent
- flow of time
more literary and stresses smooth movement
- aging
narrower because it focuses on growing older rather than time in general
Grammar Patterns
the passing of time
with the passing of years
Usage Note
Most often appears in the set phrase 'the passing of time' or with longer periods such as 'years'. Distinguish from noun sense 7, which points to one period reaching its end, not time's general movement.
Common Mistakes
10. someone's death, or the ending of a period, custom, or way of life.
someone's death, or the ending of a period, custom, or way of life.
Neighbors gathered after the passing of the village doctor.
the passing of someone
The museum marked the passing of the old theater with photos.
Her speech honored the passing of the village's old rice-farming tradition.
the passing of a tradition
Many fans still mourn the passing of Rosa Lee.
- the passing of a loved one
- the passing of an era
- mourn the passing of someone
Grammar Patterns
the passing of someone
the passing of an era
Usage Note
Commonly used as a gentle or respectful way to mention death, and it also extends to the ending of eras, institutions, or traditions. Distinguish from noun sense 9, which is neutral about time moving on.
Common Mistakes
11. the practice of being seen and treated as a member of another group, especially
the practice of being seen and treated as a member of another group, especially another race, often deliberately.
At the office, Clare's passing as white helped her keep the job.
passing as white
Her research examines racial passing in Chicago housing during the 1940s.
racial passing
The novel follows a jazz singer whose passing hides her family history.
At the train station, his passing as white kept guards from stopping him.
- racial passing
- passing as white
- passing in public life
- disguise
broader and can be temporary or playful, without social-group identity at issue
- impersonation
usually means pretending to be a particular person or type, not living under another group identity
Grammar Patterns
racial passing
passing as + group
Usage Note
Usually discussed in historical, literary, or social contexts, often with race named directly, as in 'racial passing'. It focuses on how other people classify the person, not simply on private identity.
Common Mistakes
in passing
idiomWhen you mention something briefly while talking about something else.
Maya mentioned the party in passing during our lunch.
Did Brian mention the new policy in passing yesterday?
passing — adjective
1. moving past a person or place at that moment.
moving past a person or place at that moment.
A passing cyclist splashed rainwater onto Nina's coat outside the bakery.
before noun: passing + person
The dog barked at every passing truck on the narrow village road.
Lena waved to a passing boat from the wooden bridge.
before noun: passing + vehicle
A passing nurse noticed smoke under the clinic door.
- passing car
- passing truck
- passing boat
- passing stranger
- moving
the broad everyday word, without the idea of going by a particular point
- travelling
stresses being on a journey rather than passing nearby
- going by
an informal phrase that focuses on movement past someone or something
- stationary
not moving from one place
Grammar Patterns
passing + vehicle/person/thing
Usage Note
Usually before a noun naming someone or something seen moving by, especially a vehicle or a person noticed for only a moment.
Common Mistakes
2. short and not meant to be important, complete, or careful.
short and not meant to be important, complete, or careful.
During lunch, Emma made a passing remark about moving to Tainan.
collocation: passing remark
The doctor gave the cut a passing glance before washing it.
collocation: passing glance
Leo's passing interest in guitar ended after two weekend lessons.
At the meeting, the mayor made only a passing reference to the flood.
collocation: passing reference
- passing remark
- passing glance
- passing interest
- passing reference
- brief
the general word for something short in time or length
- casual
often suggests little effort or little seriousness
- superficial
stronger, stressing lack of depth or care
Grammar Patterns
passing + remark/glance/interest/reference
Usage Note
Common with nouns such as 'remark', 'glance', 'interest', and 'reference'. Distinguish from sense 3 (TIME GOING BY): this sense is about something brief or slight, not about time itself moving on.
Common Mistakes
3. used for time that is moving on and becoming the past.
used for time that is moving on and becoming the past.
In the passing years after college, Mei saw her friends less often.
passing + years for time moving on
The passing days felt slower after Owen broke his leg.
Grandpa marked each passing month on the kitchen calendar.
each passing + time noun
The town changed with every passing season beside the river.
- passing days
- passing years
- passing month
- passing season
- coming
still ahead in time rather than moving into the past
Grammar Patterns
passing + days/years/months/season
Usage Note
Usually modifies nouns for periods of time, such as 'days', 'months', or 'years'. Distinguish from sense 2 (BRIEF): here the focus is on time continuing to move away from the present.
Common Mistakes
4. reaching the lowest score or quality needed to pass.
reaching the lowest score or quality needed to pass.
Mina earned a passing grade after rewriting the last essay.
collocation: passing grade
His report got a passing mark from the safety inspector.
collocation: passing mark
One more correct answer would give Leo a passing score.
collocation: passing score
The machine met the passing standard during yesterday's factory test.
- passing grade
- passing mark
- passing score
- passing standard
- adequate
meeting the basic need, often without suggesting anything better
- acceptable
good enough to be allowed or approved
- satisfactory
slightly more formal and often used in school or work reports
- failing
below the level needed to pass
- inadequate
not good enough for the required standard
Grammar Patterns
passing + grade/mark/score/standard
Usage Note
Usually before nouns like 'grade', 'mark', 'score', or 'standard'. It refers to the minimum acceptable result, not to doing especially well.
Common Mistakes
passing — adverb
1. used before an adjective to mean 'very', especially in literary language.
used before an adjective to mean 'very', especially in literary language.
The path looked passing narrow beside the fast brown river.
passing + adjective
To Maya, the empty school hall felt passing strange at night.
literary intensifier before adjective
The soup was passing hot, so Ben waited before the first spoonful.
Her last question sounded passing serious during the family meal.
- passing narrow
- passing strange
- passing hot
- passing serious
- very
the normal everyday intensifier
- extremely
common and strong in modern English
- exceedingly
formal and close in tone to this rare use
Grammar Patterns
passing + adjective
Usage Note
Mostly found in older or literary style, not normal everyday speech. It usually comes directly before an adjective, and modern English more often uses 'very' or 'extremely' instead.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/2
In adjective sense 2, passing describes something slight, short, and not given much weight. Brief is the broad everyday word for something short, but it does not always suggest unimportance. Casual often adds the idea of being relaxed or not carefully planned. Fleeting stresses that something lasts only a moment, especially a feeling, look, or chance. Superficial is stronger and more critical, because it suggests a lack of depth or real care. So you can make a passing remark during lunch, give a brief answer in class, have a casual chat by the door, or feel a fleeting doubt before sleeping. If a report is called superficial, it sounds much more negative than merely passing.
Common collocations
Phrases
- the passing of + noun
- with the passing of + time/years
Etymology
Passing was formed in English from the verb pass plus the ending -ing. Pass came into Middle English from Old French passer, which goes back to Late Latin passare, a verb connected with stepping or moving by. From that base, passing developed noun, adjective, and adverb uses in English, including ideas of movement, time going by, brief mention, and meeting a required standard.