past
19 synonyms and 2 antonyms for past, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The period of time before the present.
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.
Antonyms
How to use past
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From the past participle of Middle English passen, "to pass, go by" — the same root as the modern verb "pass."
Full origin of past →Frequently asked questions
What does “past” mean?
The word “past” means the period of time before the present. In plain terms, refers to time or events that have already happened, or being beyond something in place or time.
How do you pronounce “past”?
“Past” is pronounced pahst (/pæst/ in IPA).
How do you use “past” in a sentence?
Here is “past” used in a sentence: “She rarely talks about her past.”
What is another word for “past”?
Words with a similar meaning to “past” include yestertide, foregone, preceding, used-to-be, backward and forepassed.
What is the opposite of “past”?
The opposite of “past” — its antonyms — are future and present.
What part of speech is “past”?
Depending on how it is used, “past” can be a noun, an adjective and a preposition.
Where does the word “past” come from?
The word “past” comes from Middle English. From the past participle of Middle English passen, "to pass, go by" — the same root as the modern verb "pass.".
Is “past” a common word?
“Past” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between past and passed?
Past refers to time already gone, or means 'beyond' ('walk past the shop'); it works as a noun, adjective, or preposition. Passed is the past tense of the verb 'to pass' and always describes an action ('she passed the test'). If you can swap in 'went by,' use passed.
What is the opposite of the past?
The opposite of the past is the future - the time yet to come. Between them lies the present, the moment happening now. The past holds what has already occurred, while the future holds what has not yet happened and may still be shaped or changed.
What is an example of the past?
Childhood memories, historical events, and yesterday's news all belong to the past. Sentences such as 'in the past, people wrote letters' or 'she has a colourful past' use the noun to mean the time, or the experiences, that came before the present moment.