How to pronounce pass
Say it like PAS. Pass is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pass. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PAS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pass pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PASSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of pass
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: PAHS.
What does pass mean?
- go across or through“We passed the point where the police car had parked”“A terrible thought went through his mind”
- move past“A black limousine passed by when she looked out the window”“He passed his professor in the hall”
- make laws, bills, etc. or bring into effect by legislation“They passed the amendment”“We cannot legislate how people spend their free time”
- (baseball) an advance to first base by a batter who receives four balls“he worked the pitcher for a base on balls”
- (military) a written leave of absence“he had a pass for three days”
- (American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate“the coach sent in a passing play on third and long”
- of advancing the ball by throwing it“a team with a good passing attack”“a pass play”
Where does pass come from?
Displaced native Old English genġan.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with pass
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of pass.
Questions about saying pass
How do you pronounce pass?
Say PAS. The American pronunciation is /pæs/. In British English it is /pɑːs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pass?
Pass is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: PAS.
Is pass pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat. The British form is /pɑːs/ (PAHS).