passing
passing Lexical Profile
passing Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Lasting only for a short time and quickly disappearing; transient or fleeting.
"What began as a passing interest in photography soon developed into a lifelong career."
Moving by, going past, or currently elapsing.
"We sat on the porch and watched the passing traffic along the coastal highway."
Satisfying the minimum requirements needed to succeed in an examination, course, or inspection.
"Students must achieve a passing grade on the final assessment to receive course credit."
Done, made, or given casually, hurriedly, or without thorough examination.
"The speaker made only a passing reference to the recent economic report during her lecture."
• noun
The death of a person, or the end and disappearance of an era or institution (used as a polite euphemism).
"The community gathered at the memorial hall to mourn the peaceful passing of the retired professor."
The act or process of moving past, elapsing, or coming to an end.
"With the passing of the winter solstice, the daylight hours gradually began to lengthen."
The skill or action of throwing, kicking, or hitting the ball or puck to a teammate in team sports.
"Crisp, accurate passing in the midfield allowed the team to control possession throughout the match."
The formal enactment or approval of a legislative bill, or the successful completion of an examination.
"The passing of the environmental protection act marked a major milestone for conservationists."
The sociological phenomenon in which a person is perceived or accepted as belonging to an identity group (such as race, gender, or social class) different from their own.
"Nella Larsen's 1929 novel explores the complex psychological tensions surrounding racial passing in twentieth-century America."
• adverb
To a very great degree; exceedingly or surpassingly (archaic or literary).
"The ancient ballad tells of a wandering knight who found the woodland realm passing strange."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a noun meaning death, 'passing' is a gentle, respectful euphemism often used in condolences and obituaries. Its adverbial sense ('exceedingly') is strictly literary or archaic.
• Rhymes for passing
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in Middle English from the verb 'pass' (from Old French 'passer', ultimately from Vulgar Latin 'passare', meaning to step) combined with the suffix '-ing'.