Phrase guide

pass by

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /pɑːs ˈbaɪ/
  • US: /pæs ˈbaɪ/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To travel past without stopping.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • I noticed my wife pass by with a bag of shopping.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To travel past (something) without stopping; (figurative) to ignore, to disregard.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • I had the distinct worry that happiness would pass me by.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To elapse.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • Nearly a year has passed by since I first laid eyes on him.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To drop by.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Philippines

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

move past

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • A black limousine passed by when she looked out the window
  • He passed his professor in the hall
  • One line of soldiers surpassed the other

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: travel by, surpass, go past, go by, pass

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: travel, go, move, locomote

Narrower terms: skirt, run by, fly by, zip by, whisk by

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.