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noun B1 Intermediate Common

password

PAS-wurrd
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Password (noun) means a secret word or string of characters used to prove identity and gain access to a place, system, or account. Example: “I changed my password after the website asked me to choose a stronger one.”

noun
1
A secret word or string of characters used to prove identity and gain access to a place, system, or account.
"I changed my password after the website asked me to choose a stronger one."
"Make sure your password includes a number and a symbol."
"He forgot his email password again."

How to use password

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA secret code used to prove you're allowed in, whether guarding a door or a computer account.

Common mistake

A strong password should mix upper and lower case, numbers, and symbols — reusing the same one everywhere is a common security mistake.

Easily confused with
passcode → passkey →
Common pairings
change your password forgot password password protected
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Word forms

Plural
passwords
Third person singular
passwords
Past tense
passworded
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

I changed my _____ after the website asked me to choose a stronger one.

Etymology

From pass and word — originally the secret word a sentry required before letting someone through, long before it referred to computer logins.

Synonyms

View more →
watchword countersign passphrase secret code access code parole passcode keyword abbreviations: pw pwd pword pass

Related words

go give head top hand word clear lead

Frequently asked questions

What does “password” mean?
The word “password” means a secret word or string of characters used to prove identity and gain access to a place, system, or account. In plain terms, a secret code used to prove you're allowed in, whether guarding a door or a computer account.
How do you pronounce “password”?
“Password” is pronounced PAS-wurrd (/ˈpæs.wɜɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “password” in a sentence?
Here is “password” used in a sentence: “Make sure your password includes a number and a symbol.”
What is another word for “password”?
Words with a similar meaning to “password” include passcode, keyword, abbreviations: pw, pwd, pword and pass.
What part of speech is “password”?
“Password” is a noun.
Is “password” a common word?
“Password” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between a password and a passcode?
A password is a secret word or string of characters — usually letters, numbers, and symbols — used to prove identity and gain access to a system or account. A passcode is typically a shorter, numbers-only code, such as the four- or six-digit code that unlocks a phone. In practice the terms overlap, but passcode usually implies digits.
What is the difference between a password and a passphrase?
A passphrase is a longer password made of a sequence of words, such as several unrelated words strung together. Because length adds strength, passphrases are generally harder to crack than short passwords while remaining easier for people to remember.
Is password one word or two?
Password is written as one word in standard English. The two-word form 'pass word' is not standard today, and the compound also appears in derived terms like password manager and password reset.
What makes a strong password?
A strong password is long — commonly twelve characters or more — and mixes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols while avoiding names, dictionary words, and personal details like birthdays. Security guidance also stresses using a different password for every account, since reuse lets one leaked password unlock many services.

Example sentences

Real-world examples showing password in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.

Use a unique password per account and store them in a password manager rather than reusing or memorising them.
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