pass away

verb

passed away; passing away; passes away

intransitive verb

1

: to go out of existence

2

: die sense 1

Synonyms

• check out
• conk (out)
• croak [slang]
• decease
• demise
• depart
• die
• drop
• end
• exit
• expire
• fall
• flatline
• go
• kick in [slang]
• kick off [slang]
• part
• pass (on)
• peg out [chiefly British]
• perish
• pop off
• step out
• succumb

Examples of pass away in a Sentence

the old woman passed away quietly

Recent Examples on the Web

Mary McGee, a pioneering figure in the world of motorsports, has passed away at the age of 87. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2024

When Andrea’s partner passed away in 2022, Andrea moved back in with her parents. —Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 28 Nov. 2024

Researchers have offered various theories to explain the discrepancy, including the fact that women statistically live longer—meaning some homeowners are single because their spouses passed away. —Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 27 Nov. 2024

Starting in the 1960s, Arrillaga, who passed away in 2022, developed much of what would become Silicon Valley by supplying the rapidly expanding tech industry with offices to house the thousands of new workers flocking to the burgeoning tech industry. —Paolo Confino, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pass away

verb

: die entry 1 sense 1