pass

To move past a person, place, or thing so that it is behind you.

• We pass the school every day.
• A blue car passed us on the road.
• Did you pass the station on your way here?

How to use it: pass by someone/something (We passed by the school on our walk.)

Similar words: go past, go by

Common phrases: pass someone, pass a building, pass by something

To get a good enough result in a test or exam to succeed.

• I passed my test.
• She passed all her exams last year.
• How many students passed this time?

Opposites: fail

Common phrases: pass an exam, pass a test, pass with distinction

If time does this, it goes by; you can also spend it doing something.

• The hours passed slowly.
• We passed the time by telling stories.
• Ten years have passed since we last met.

How to use it: pass the time doing something (We passed the time playing cards.)

Similar words: go by, elapse, spend

Common phrases: let time pass, pass the time, pass an hour

You give something to another person, usually by handing it to them.

• Please pass me the salt.
• He passed the keys to his sister.
• Could you pass those papers around?

How to use it: pass someone something (Please pass me a clean plate.); pass something to someone (She passed the letter to her father.)

Similar words: hand, give

Common phrases: pass someone something, pass the salt, pass something over

To officially approve a proposed law or decision, usually by voting.

• The council passed the proposal.
• A new law passed yesterday.
• Will parliament pass the bill this week?

Similar words: approve, adopt

Opposites: reject

Common phrases: pass a law, pass a bill, pass a motion

A road, river, or railway goes through or past a place.

• The road passes our village.
• The river passes through the city centre.
• Does the railway pass near your house?

How to use it: pass through something (The railway passes through a forest.); pass something (The river passes several small towns.)

Similar words: run, go

Common phrases: pass through something, pass a village, pass near something

An act of sending the ball to another player on your team.

• That was a good pass.
• She caught his pass and scored.
• Their goalkeeper intercepted two dangerous passes.

How to use it: a pass to someone (His pass to the striker led to a goal.)

Common phrases: make a pass, short pass, forward pass, catch a pass

A card or ticket that lets you enter a place or use a service.

• Show your pass at the door.
• I bought a monthly bus pass.
• Visitors need passes to enter this building.

Similar words: permit, entry card

Common phrases: bus pass, visitor pass, season pass, show a pass