Pass out meaning
Pass out means to suddenly stop being awake, for example because of heat or pain. It can also mean to give one of something to each person in a group (mainly US).
pass out
pass out · passed · passing
It was so hot on the train that a woman passed out.
Pass out meanings and examples
3 meanings, each with its own CEFR level. A level marked ~ is our estimate: Oxford and Cambridge give none for that meaning.
-
1
Suddenly stop being awake, for example because of heat or pain
pass out
- It was so hot on the train that a woman passed out.
- He almost passed out when he saw the blood.
- Have you ever passed out at the dentist?
-
2
Give one of something to each person in a group (mainly US)
pass something out
- The teacher passed out the tests face down.
- Here are the menus. Can you pass them out, please?
- They passed out free water at the end of the race.
-
3
Fall asleep because you are very tired or drank too much (informal)
pass out
- I passed out on the sofa after the night shift.
- He passed out in his clothes after the party.
- The kids passed out in the back of the car.
Café orders
New friends
At the airport
Slova
Use pass out in real conversations
- Learn new words with picture cards
- Talk with Felix, an AI tutor, about the things you love
- Short lessons at your level, a few minutes a day
Is pass out separable?
When pass out means faint, it has no object: She passed out. You cannot say pass someone out in this meaning.
When pass out means give to a group (mainly US), it is separable: pass out the papers, pass them out. In UK English, hand out is more common.
Verb tenses for pass out
| Present | I pass out · she passes out |
|---|---|
| Past | passed out |
| Present perfect | have passed out |
| -ing form | passing out |
Common mistakes with pass out
What learners often say, and what to say instead.
Wrong: The heat passed me out.
Right: I passed out because of the heat.
In the faint meaning, the person who faints is the subject.
Wrong: She was passed out from two hours.
Right: She was passed out for two hours.
Use for with a length of time.
Wrong: I passed away at the gym yesterday.
Right: I passed out at the gym yesterday.
Pass away means die. Pass out means faint.
Synonyms and opposites of pass out
Words close to it, and words that mean the opposite.
Similar
- faintthe single-word verb with the same meaning
- black outlose consciousness for a short time; also lose memory
- hand outgive things to each person in a group; more common in the UK
Opposite
- come roundUK; become awake again after fainting (US: come to)
Pass out quiz
Three quick questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why.
-
1It was so hot in the room that he nearly ___.
Pass out means faint. Pass away means die.
-
2Choose the right sentence.
The person who faints is the subject, and you pass out from a cause.
-
3In a US classroom, “Please pass out the worksheets.” What should you do?
In US English, pass out can mean give to each person in a group.
More phrasal verbs with pass
2 phrasal verbs start with pass. Test yourself on all of them in a few minutes.
Pass out FAQ
Questions people ask about pass out.
Pass out vs pass away: what is the difference?
Pass out means faint, so you wake up again. Pass away is a polite way to say die. Do not mix them up.
What does pass out mean in slang?
Informally, people say pass out for falling asleep very quickly, often after drinking or a long day: I passed out on the couch.
What does passed out mean in the UK army?
In UK English, soldiers and police officers pass out when they finish their training. There is a passing-out parade.
Use pass out in real conversations
In Slova you learn new words with picture cards, then use them when you talk about the things you love. A few minutes a day, at your level.