# passed

/ˈpæst/ (US) · /pˈɑːst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/passed
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. moved by

verb · CEFR A2

moved past a person or place.

For teachers: the past tense of 'pass', indicating movement beyond a specific point or person.

- We passed the old church on our way to the beach.
- The hikers passed several abandoned cottages before reaching the summit, noting the decay of the stone walls.

### 2. succeeded in a test

verb · CEFR A2

did well enough to succeed in an exam or a test.

For teachers: successfully met the required standard in an examination, test, or inspection.

- She was so happy when she found out she passed her driving test.
- After months of intensive study, he finally passed the bar exam and was admitted to the legal profession.

### 3. time went by

verb · CEFR B1

when time moved forward.

For teachers: the elapsing or progression of time.

- Several hours passed while we waited for the train to arrive.
- As the weeks passed, the initial excitement of the project gave way to the steady grind of daily administration.

### 4. gave something to someone

verb · CEFR A2

handed something to another person.

For teachers: transferred an object to another person, typically by hand.

- He passed the salt to his sister during dinner.
- The witness passed the documents to the lawyer, who examined them closely for any signs of tampering.

### 5. having succeeded

adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal

having reached the necessary level to be qualified.

For teachers: having successfully completed a specific qualification or assessment.

- The list of passed candidates was posted on the school notice board.
- The department only interviews passed applicants who have already secured their professional certification.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun.

Teaching tip: In modern English, we usually say 'successful candidates' rather than 'passed candidates' in general contexts.

## Examples

- She passed the ball to her teammate.
- The bus passed the station without stopping because it was already full of passengers.
- Several years passed before the two families finally reconciled their differences and agreed to meet in person.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.