A gentle, respectful way of saying that someone has died.
To die — used to be kind and not use the word 'die' directly.
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
To die (used as a polite or gentle euphemism).
"Her grandfather passed away peacefully in his sleep last night."
"My father passed away last year, and I still miss him every day."
— Michelle Obama, "Becoming" (2018)
To move away and disappear — suggesting the soul departing from the body.
To die — used to be kind and not use the word 'die' directly.
A common euphemism used in formal announcements, obituaries, and sensitive conversations. Suitable across registers when speaking about someone's death. More polite and compassionate in tone than 'die'. Rarely used in academic or medical writing, where 'die' or 'death' is preferred for precision.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "pass away" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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