passing
19 synonyms and 0 antonyms for passing, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Lasting only briefly; temporary.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use passing
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From pass plus the suffix -ing.
Full origin of passing →Frequently asked questions
What does “passing” mean?
The word “passing” means lasting only briefly; temporary. In plain terms, can describe something brief and fleeting, a death, or the action of passing something along.
How do you pronounce “passing”?
“Passing” is pronounced PAH-sihng (/ˈpɑːsɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “passing” in a sentence?
Here is “passing” used in a sentence: “It was just a passing fad, nothing serious.”
What part of speech is “passing”?
Depending on how it is used, “passing” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “passing” a common word?
“Passing” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “passing” have?
“Passing” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: lasting only briefly; temporary.
What is the difference between passing and permanent?
Passing means lasting only a short time and then gone, such as a passing mood or a passing trend. Permanent means lasting indefinitely and meant to stay. They are opposites on the scale of duration: a passing interest fades quickly, while a permanent one endures. Passing stresses how brief something is.
What is the difference between passing and fleeting?
The two are close in meaning, and both describe something short-lived. Fleeting stresses extreme brevity, gone almost at once, like a fleeting glance. Passing is a little softer, suggesting something temporary that comes and goes, such as a passing phase. Both contrast with anything lasting or permanent.
What is an example of passing in this sense?
A passing remark is a comment made briefly, in passing, without dwelling on it. A passing craze is a fad that fades fast. A passing shower is brief rain that soon clears. In each case, passing signals that the thing is temporary and will not last long.