Meaning

present participle and gerund of pass.

Definitions by Sense

1. present participle and gerund of pass
2. That passes away; ephemeral.
3. (now rare, literary) Pre-eminent, excellent, extreme.
4. Vague, cursory.
5. Going past.
6. That passes in any sense.
7. (literary or archaic) Surpassingly, greatly.
8. Death, dying; the end of something.

Example Sentences

And solace sought he none from priest nor leech, / And soon the same in movement and in speech / As heretofore he fill'd the passing hours […]

[…]this is just a passing thing But I believe in your sweet loving, loving, babe With every summer falling rain

It might be possible to dismiss #dittowatch as just another passing internet fancy. After all, hashtags are ephemeral.

her passing deformity

It was by dint of passing strength, / That he moved the massy stone at length.

That parliament was destined, in one short hour of convulsive strength, in one short hour of passing glory, to humble the pride and alarm the fears of England.

to make a passing comment

to have a passing acquaintance with somebody or something

Word Forms

• more passing
• most passing
• passings

Synonyms for passing

Antonyms for passing

Related Words

When Should You Use Passing?

Use passing when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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