A passing fashion, activity, or feeling lasts for only a short period of time and is not worth taking very seriously.
Hamnett does not believe environmental concern is a passing fad.
2. singular noun [with poss]
The passing of something such as a time or system is the fact of its coming to an end.
It was an historic day, yet its passing was not marked by the slightest excitement.
When the Fifties faded into history, there wasn't a lot of mourning for the passingof an era.
Synonyms: end, finish, loss, vanishing More Synonyms of passing
3. singular noun [with poss]
You can refer to someone's death as their passing, if you want to avoid using the word 'death' because you think it might upset or offend people.
His passing will be mourned by many people.
...the passing of one of this century's great artists.
Synonyms: death, demise [euphemistic], decease [formal], passing on or away More Synonyms of passing
4. singular noun
The passing of a period of time is the fact or process of its going by.
The passing of time brought a sense of emptiness. [+ of]
The passing of the years has been kind to Dan. He looks like a man of half his age.
Synonyms: passage, course, process, advance More Synonyms of passing
5. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
A passing mention or reference is brief and is made while you are talking or writing about something else.
It was just a passing comment, he didn't go on about it.
The colonies received only a passing mention.
6. See also pass
7.
See in passing
8.
See with each passing year/with every passing year
More Synonyms of passing
passing in British English
(ˈpɑːsɪŋ)
adjective
1.
transitory or momentary
a passing fancy
2.
cursory or casual in action or manner
a passing reference
adverb, adjective
3. archaic
to an extreme degree
the events were passing strange
noun
4.
a place where or means by which one may pass, cross, ford, etc
5. a euphemism for death
6. in passing
passing in American English
(ˈpæsɪŋ)
adjective
1.
going by, beyond, past, over, or through
2.
lasting only a short time; short-lived; fleeting; momentary
3.
casual; cursory; incidental
a passing remark
4.
satisfying given requirements or standards
a passing grade
5.
that is happening; current
6. Archaic
surpassing; extreme; very
adverb
7. Archaic
exceedingly; unusually; very
noun
8.
the act of one that passes; specif., death
9.
a means or place of passing
Idioms:
in passing
Word origin
ME
More idioms containing
passing
a passing acquaintance
Examples of 'passing' in a sentence
passing
But after a close friendship spanning 33 years it is impossible not to mourn her passing.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
I'd only met him once in passing, aged about six.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
There was a lot of great passing and movement.
The Sun (2014)
But a swift passing move undid them.
The Sun (2010)
With the passing of each year recovery techniques for such rescues become more and more refined.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
You simply do not see this team carving an opponent apart with slick passing.
The Sun (2016)
He is good in the short passing.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Viewers may also note the passing of an era in the game.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They do not waste time passing when the other team is exposed.
The Sun (2016)
They played very confidently and are a good team with quick passing.
The Sun (2015)
They may mourn the passing of their health and feel robbed of a future.
Pearson, Althea Growing Through Loss and Grief (1994)
Their passing and movement took their opponents by surprise and they did the club proud.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The passing of her great love had left her with longing for another.
Judd, Alan Ford Madox Ford (1990)
Why does the passing of years destroy imagination?
Christianity Today (2000)
The passing of time was something parallel to the messy lives led.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Their passing was quicker and more purposeful.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
His short passing was bang on.
The Sun (2011)
His modest retirement party evoked the poignant passing of the age of British motor manufacture itself.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It's a lucky day for passing driving tests.
The Sun (2014)
Forget all this about the Spanish game being all about pretty passing and fancy moves.
The Sun (2014)
Just passing mentions of him.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Holding the bouquet in one hand while passing stems into it with the other was hard, but my work was complimented.
The Sun (2014)
A neat passing move finished with a blistering shot from Valencia which shook the bar.
The Sun (2009)
I didn't mention the passing of Miranda last week.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
passing
British English: passing ADJECTIVE
A passing fashion, activity, or feeling lasts for only a short period of time and is not worth taking very seriously.
She does not believe environmental concern is a passing fad.
American English: passing
Brazilian Portuguese: passageiro
Chinese: 一时的
European Spanish: pasajero
French: passager
German: vorübergehend
Italian: passeggero
Japanese: つかの間の
Korean: 일시적인
European Portuguese: passageiro
Latin American Spanish: pasajero
British English: passing NOUN
The passing of something such as a time or system is the fact of its coming to an end.
It was an historic day, yet its passing was not marked by the slightest excitement.
American English: passing
Brazilian Portuguese: passagem
Chinese: 结束
European Spanish: desaparición
French: passage
German: Ende
Italian: fine
Japanese: 終結
Korean: 소멸
European Portuguese: passagem
Latin American Spanish: desaparición
All related terms of 'passing'
pass
To pass someone or something means to go past them without stopping .
in passing
If you mention something in passing , you mention it briefly while you are talking or writing about something else.
passing bell
a bell rung to announce a death or a funeral
passing note
a nonharmonic note through which a melody passes from one harmonic note to the next
passing place
a wider place on a narrow road where vehicles can pass
passing shot
a winning shot hit outside an opponent's reach
passing-out parade
a ceremonial parade of cadets who have completed their training
pass by
If you pass by something, you go past it or near it on your way to another place.
pass on
If you pass something on to someone, you give it to them so that they have it instead of you.
pass up
If you pass up a chance or an opportunity , you do not take advantage of it.
pass off
If an event passes off without any trouble , it happens and ends without any trouble.
pass out
If you pass out , you faint or collapse .
a passing acquaintance
someone you know , but only slightly
flick-pass
a movement in which the ball is passed quickly to another player by flicking it out of the hand ; often performed with only one hand
pass away
You can say that someone passed away to mean that they died , if you want to avoid using the word 'die' because you think it might upset or offend people.
pass over
If someone is passed over for a job or position , they do not get the job or position and someone younger or less experienced is chosen instead .
pass around
If a group of people pass something around or pass it round , they each take it and then give it to the next person.
pass off as
If you pass something off as another thing, you convince people that it is that other thing.
with each passing year/with every passing year
If something changes with each passing year or with every passing day , it changes continuously.
buck-passer
a person who regularly seeks to shift blame or responsibility to someone else
Chinese translation of 'passing'
passing
(ˈpɑːsɪŋ)
adj
[comment, glimpse, thought]短暂(暫)的 (duǎnzàn de)
[moment]飞(飛)逝的 (fēishì de)
n(u)
[of person]去世 (qùshì)
[of era, years, custom]消逝 (xiāoshì)
a passing interest in sb/sth对(對)某人/某事短暂(暫)的兴(興)趣 (duì mǒurén/mǒushì duǎnzàn de xìngqù)
to bear a passing resemblance to sth/sb与(與)某事/某人非常相似 (yǔ mǒushì/mǒurén fēicháng xiāngsì)
in passing[mention, note]顺(順)便地 (shùnbiàn de)
pass
(pɑːs)
vt
(= spend)[time]度过(過) (dùguò)
⇒ The children passed the time playing in the street.孩子们在街上玩以消磨时间。 (Háizimen zài jiēshang wán yǐ xiāomó shíjiān.)
⇒ She passed me her glass.她把她的玻璃杯递给我。 (Tā bǎ tā de bōlibēi dìgěi wǒ.)
(= go past)[place, person]经(經)过(過) (jīngguò)
⇒ We passed the new hotel.我们经过了那家新旅馆。 (Wǒmen jīngguòle nà jiā xīn lǚguǎn.)
(= move)
to pass sth through/around/over sth将(將)某物穿过(過)/围(圍)住/跨过(過)某物 (jiāng mǒuwù chuānguò/wéizhù/kuàguò mǒuwù)
(= overtake, exceed)[vehicle]超过(過) (chāoguò)
⇒ We got behind a tractor and couldn't pass it.我们跟在一辆拖拉机后面，没法超过。 (Wǒmen gēn zài yī liàng tuōlājī hòumiàn, méifǎ chāoguò.)
⇒ Contributions for 1986 have already passed the 3 million mark.1986年的捐款额已超过了300万英镑的数目。 (Yījiǔbāliù nián de juānkuǎn'é yǐ chāoguòle sānbǎi wàn yīngbàng de shùmù.)
[exam, test]通过(過) (tōngguò)
⇒ Kevin has just passed his driving test.凯文刚刚通过驾驶测试。 (Kǎiwén gānggāng tōngguò jiàshǐ cèshì.)
(= approve)[law, proposal]批准 (pīzhǔn)
⇒ Many of the laws passed by Parliament are never enforced.国会批准的许多法案从未强制执行。 (Guóhuì pīzhǔn de xǔduō fǎ'àn cóngwèi qiángzhì zhíxíng.)
(Sport)
to pass sb the ball把球传(傳)给(給)某人 (bǎ qiú chuángěi mǒurén)
vi
(= go by)[time]过(過)去 (guòqù)
⇒ Several minutes passed.几分钟过去了。 (Jǐ fēnzhōng guòqù le.)
(= go past)[vehicles, people]经(經)过(過) (jīngguò)
⇒ The ships sounded their hooters as they passed.船只经过时鸣汽笛。 (Chuánzhī jīngguò shí míng qìdí.)
(= go)
to pass through/over/near sth穿过(過)/跨过(過)/移近某物 (chuānguò/kuàguò/yíjìn mǒuwù)
(in exam) 及格 (jígé)
⇒ She told me that I had passed.她告诉我我及格了。 (Tā gàosù wǒ wǒ jígé le.)
to pass to sb[inheritance, estate]传(傳)给(給)某人 (chuángěi mǒurén)
n(c)
(= permit) 许(許)可证(證) (xǔkězhèng) (张(張), zhāng)
(in mountains) 隘口 (àikǒu) (个(個), gè)
(Sport) 传(傳)球 (chuánqiú)
to pass without comment默许(許) (mòxǔ)
to pass unnoticed被忽略过(過)去 (bèi hūlüè guòqù)
to pass for 25被认(認)为(為)有25岁(歲) (bèi rènwéi yǒu èrshíwǔ suì)
to pass as sth/sb当(當)作某事/某人 (dàngzuò mǒushì/mǒurén)
I'll pass, thanks (inf) 不用了，谢(謝)谢(謝) (bùyòng le, xièxie)
to get a pass (in sth) (Scol, Univ) (某考试(試))达(達)到及格标(標)准(準) ((mǒu kǎoshì) dádào jígé biāozhǔn)
to make a pass at sb (inf) 向某人调(調)情 (xiàng mǒurén tiáoqíng)
things have come to a pretty pass (Brit, inf) 事情到了如此糟糕的境地 (shìqing dàole rúcǐ zāogāo de jìngdì)
All related terms of 'passing'
pass
( spend : time ) 度过(過) dùguò ⇒ The children passed the time playing in the street. → 孩子们在街上玩以消磨时间。 Háizimen zài jiēshang wán yǐ xiāomó shíjiān.
in passing
( mention, note ) 顺(順)便地 shùnbiàn de
passing place
窄路会车时车辆的停靠处
a passing fancy
心血来(來)潮 xīnxuè lái cháo
a passing interest in sb/sth
对(對)某人/某事短暂(暫)的兴(興)趣 duì mǒurén/mǒushì duǎnzàn de xìngqù
( person, object ) 冒充作 màochōng zuò ⇒ She passed him off as her young brother. → 她把他冒充作自己的弟弟。 Tā bǎ tā màochōng zuò zìjǐ de dìdi. ⇒ horse meat passed off as beef → 将马肉假冒作牛肉 jiāng mǎròu jiǎmào zuò niúròu
to bear a passing resemblance to sth/sb
与(與)某事/某人非常相似 yǔ mǒushì/mǒurén fēicháng xiāngsì
1 (adjective)
Definition
momentary or short-lived
people who dismissed mobile phones as a passing fad
Synonyms
momentary
a momentary lapse of concentration
fleeting
They caught only a fleeting glimpse of the driver.
short-lived
Any hope that the speech would end the war was short-lived.
transient
the transient nature of high fashion
ephemeral
These paintings are a reminder that earthly pleasures are ephemeral.
short
We had a short meeting.
brief
This time their visit is brief.
temporary
a temporary loss of memory
transitory
Most teenage romances are transitory.
evanescent (formal)
the evanescent effects of light and weather on the landscape
fugacious (rare)
2 (adjective)
Definition
casual or superficial
He only gave us a passing glance.
Synonyms
superficial
He only gave it a superficial glance through.
short
quick
I just popped in for a quick chat.
slight
It's only made a slight difference.
glancing
casual
I stood up and gave a casual glance behind me.
summary
The four women were acquitted after a summary trial.
shallow
I think he is shallow, vain and untrustworthy.
hasty
After the hasty meal, they took up their positions.
cursory
I gave the letter a fairly cursory reading.
perfunctory
She gave the list only a perfunctory glance.
desultory
1 (noun)
Definition
the ending of something
the passing of an era
Synonyms
end
The report is expected by the end of the year.
finish
I intend to see the job through to the finish.
loss
The loss of income is about £250 million.
vanishing
disappearance
the gradual disappearance of the pain
termination
a dispute which led to the abrupt termination of trade
dying out
expiry
the expiry of a fixed term contract
expiration
the expiration of his current passport
2 (noun)
Definition
death
His passing will be mourned by many people.
Synonyms
death
There had been a death in the family.
demise (euphemistic)
His demise left us heartbroken.
decease (formal)
passing on or away
3 (noun)
The passing of time brought a sense of emptiness.
Synonyms
passage
Its value increases with the passage of time.
course
In the course of the 1930s, steel production in Britain approximately doubled.
process
the evolutionary process of Homo sapiens
advance
progress
The road was too rough for further progress in the car.
flow
watching the quiet flow of the olive-green water
4 (noun)
the formal passing of the treaty
Synonyms
sanction
The king could not enact laws without the sanction of parliament.
approval
The proposed modifications met with widespread approval.
passage
a long speech to prevent the passage of a bill
adoption
the adoption of Japanese management practices
endorsement
This is a powerful endorsement of his style of governing.
enactment
the enactment of a Bill of Rights
authorization
a request for authorization to use military force
validation
legalization
phrase
See in passing
Additional synonyms
in the sense of adoption
the adoption of Japanese management practices
Synonyms
embracing,
choice,
taking on,
taking up,
support,
taking over,
selection,
approval,
following,
assumption,
maintenance,
acceptance,
endorsement,
appropriation,
ratification,
approbation,
espousal
in the sense of approval
Definition
a favourable opinion
The proposed modifications met with widespread approval.
Synonyms
consent,
agreement,
sanction,
licence,
blessing,
permission,
recommendation,
concession,
confirmation,
mandate,
endorsement,
leave,
compliance,
the go-ahead (informal),
countenance,
ratification,
the green light,
assent,
authorization,
validation,
acquiescence,
imprimatur,
concurrence,
O.K. or okay (informal),
endorsation (Canadian)
in the sense of authorization
a request for authorization to use military force
Synonyms
permission,
right,
leave,
power,
authority,
ability,
strength,
permit,
sanction,
licence,
approval,
warrant,
say-so (informal),
credentials,
a blank cheque
Synonyms of 'passing'
passing
Explore 'passing' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of brief
Definition
short in duration
This time their visit is brief.
Synonyms
short,
fast,
quick,
temporary,
fleeting,
swift,
short-lived,
little,
hasty,
momentary,
ephemeral,
quickie (informal),
transitory
in the sense of casual
Definition
being or seeming careless or nonchalant
I stood up and gave a casual glance behind me.
Synonyms
perfunctory,
careless,
cursory,
offhand,
nonchalant
in the sense of course
Definition
a period of time
In the course of the 1930s, steel production in Britain approximately doubled.
Synonyms
period,
time,
duration,
term,
passing,
sweep,
passage,
lapse
in the sense of cursory
Definition
hasty and usually superficial
I gave the letter a fairly cursory reading.
Synonyms
brief,
passing,
rapid,
casual,
summary,
slight,
hurried,
careless,
superficial,
hasty,
perfunctory,
desultory,
offhand,
slapdash
in the sense of decease
Definition
death
Synonyms
death,
dying,
release,
departure,
demise (euphemistic),
dissolution
in the sense of demise
Definition
death
His demise left us heartbroken.
Synonyms
death,
end,
dying,
passing,
departure,
expiration,
decease
in the sense of disappearance
the gradual disappearance of the pain
Synonyms
vanishing,
going,
passing,
disappearing,
fading,
melting,
eclipse,
evaporation,
evanescence
in the sense of enactment
the enactment of a Bill of Rights
Synonyms
passing,
legislation,
sanction,
approval,
establishment,
proclamation,
ratification,
authorization,
validation,
making law
in the sense of endorsement
This is a powerful endorsement of his style of governing.
Synonyms
approval,
backing,
support,
championing,
favour,
promotion,
sanction,
recommendation,
acceptance,
agreement,
warrant,
confirmation,
upholding,
subscription,
fiat,
advocacy,
affirmation,
ratification,
authorization,
seal of approval,
approbation,
espousal,
O.K. or okay (informal)
in the sense of ephemeral
Definition
lasting only for a short time
These paintings are a reminder that earthly pleasures are ephemeral.
Synonyms
transient,
short,
passing,
brief,
temporary,
fleeting,
short-lived,
fugitive,
flitting,
momentary,
transitory,
evanescent (formal),
impermanent,
fugacious
Additional synonyms
in the sense of evanescent
Definition
quickly fading away
the evanescent effects of light and weather on the landscape
Synonyms
ephemeral,
passing,
brief,
fading,
fleeting,
vanishing,
short-lived,
fugitive,
transient,
momentary,
transitory,
impermanent,
fugacious
in the sense of expiration
Definition
the finish of something
the expiration of his current passport
Synonyms
expiry,
end,
finish,
conclusion,
close,
termination,
cessation
in the sense of expiry
Definition
a coming to an end, esp. of the period of a contract
the expiry of a fixed term contract
Synonyms
expiration,
ending,
end,
conclusion,
close,
demise (euphemistic),
lapsing,
lapse,
termination,
cessation
in the sense of finish
Definition
the final stage or part
I intend to see the job through to the finish.
Synonyms
end,
ending,
close,
closing,
conclusion,
run-in,
winding up (informal),
wind-up,
completion,
finale,
termination,
culmination,
cessation,
last stage(s),
denouement,
finalization
in the sense of fleeting
Definition
rapid and soon passing
They caught only a fleeting glimpse of the driver.
Synonyms
momentary,
short,
passing,
flying,
brief,
temporary,
short-lived,
fugitive,
transient,
flitting,
ephemeral,
transitory,
evanescent (formal),
fugacious,
here today, gone tomorrow
in the sense of flow
Definition
the act, rate, or manner of flowing
watching the quiet flow of the olive-green water
Synonyms
stream,
current,
movement,
motion,
course,
issue,
flood,
drift,
tide,
spate,
gush,
flux,
outpouring,
outflow,
undertow,
tideway
in the sense of hasty
Definition
done or happening suddenly or quickly
After the hasty meal, they took up their positions.
Synonyms
brief,
short,
quick,
passing,
rushed,
fleeting,
superficial,
cursory,
perfunctory,
transitory
in the sense of loss
Definition
the act or an instance of losing
The loss of income is about £250 million.
Synonyms
losing,
waste,
disappearance,
deprivation,
squandering,
drain,
forfeiture
in the sense of perfunctory
Definition
done only as a matter of routine
She gave the list only a perfunctory glance.
Synonyms
offhand,
routine,
wooden,
automatic,
stereotyped,
mechanical,
indifferent,
careless,
superficial,
negligent,
sketchy,
unconcerned,
cursory,
unthinking,
slovenly,
heedless,
slipshod,
inattentive
in the sense of process
Definition
a series of natural developments which result in an overall change
the evolutionary process of Homo sapiens
Synonyms
development,
growth,
progress,
course,
stage,
step,
movement,
advance,
formation,
evolution,
unfolding,
progression
Additional synonyms
in the sense of progress
Definition
movement forward or advance
The road was too rough for further progress in the car.
Synonyms
movement forward,
passage,
advancement,
progression,
course,
advance,
headway,
onward movement
in the sense of quick
Definition
lasting or taking a short time
I just popped in for a quick chat.
Synonyms
brief,
passing,
hurried,
flying,
fleeting,
summary,
lightning,
short-lived,
hasty,
cursory,
perfunctory
in the sense of shallow
Definition
not involving sincere feelings or serious thought
I think he is shallow, vain and untrustworthy.
Synonyms
superficial,
surface,
empty,
slight,
foolish,
idle,
trivial,
meaningless,
flimsy,
frivolous,
skin-deep
in the sense of short
Definition
not lasting long
We had a short meeting.
Synonyms
brief,
quick,
fleeting,
short-term,
lightning,
short-lived,
momentary,
cursory
in the sense of short-lived
Definition
lasting only for a short time
Any hope that the speech would end the war was short-lived.
Synonyms
brief,
short,
temporary,
fleeting,
passing,
transient,
ephemeral,
transitory,
impermanent
in the sense of slight
Definition
not very important or lacking in substance
It's only made a slight difference.
Synonyms
small,
minor,
insignificant,
negligible,
weak,
modest,
trivial,
superficial,
feeble,
trifling,
meagre,
unimportant,
paltry,
measly (informal),
insubstantial,
scanty,
inconsiderable
in the sense of summary
Definition
performed quickly, without formality or attention to details
The four women were acquitted after a summary trial.
Synonyms
hasty,
cursory,
perfunctory,
arbitrary
in the sense of temporary
Definition
lasting only for a short time
a temporary loss of memory
Synonyms
impermanent,
passing,
transitory,
brief,
fleeting,
interim,
short-lived,
fugitive,
transient,
momentary,
ephemeral,
evanescent (formal),
pro tem,
here today and gone tomorrow,
pro tempore,
fugacious
in the sense of termination
a dispute which led to the abrupt termination of trade
Synonyms
ending,
end,
close,
finish,
conclusion,
wind-up,
completion,
cessation,
expiry,
cut-off point,
finis,
discontinuation
in the sense of transient
Definition
lasting for a short time only
the transient nature of high fashion
Synonyms
brief,
passing,
short-term,
temporary,
short,
flying,
fleeting,
short-lived,
fugitive,
momentary,
ephemeral,
transitory,
evanescent (formal),
impermanent,
here today and gone tomorrow,
fugacious
Additional synonyms
in the sense of transitory
Definition
lasting only for a short time
Most teenage romances are transitory.
Synonyms
short-lived,
short,
passing,
brief,
short-term,
temporary,
fleeting,
transient,
flying,
momentary,
ephemeral,
evanescent (formal),
impermanent,
here today and gone tomorrow,
fugacious
All related terms of 'passing'
pass
go by or past, overtake, drive past, lap, leave behind
in passing
incidentally, on the way, by the way, accidentally, en passant
pass by
go past, pass, move past, walk by or past
pass off
take place, happen, occur, turn out, go down
pass out
faint, drop, black out, swoon, lose consciousness
pass away or on
die, pass on, depart (this life), buy it, expire
pass someone over
overlook, ignore, discount, pass by, disregard
pass something out
hand out, distribute, dole out, deal out
pass something over
disregard, forget, ignore, skip, omit
pass something up
miss, ignore, let slip, refuse, decline
pass as or for something or someone
be mistaken for, be taken for, impersonate, be accepted as, be regarded as
pass yourself off as someone
pretend to be, fake being, feign being, make a pretence of being
pass something or someone off as something or someone
misrepresent, palm something or someone off, falsely represent, disguise something or someone, dress something or someone up