1 A2 idiomatic informal
To lose consciousness suddenly, often due to heat, shock, or intoxication.
"It was so hot in the stadium that three people passed out and had to be helped outside."
inseparable
pass out
A2 informal mixed transitive/intransitive
To lose consciousness suddenly, or to distribute something to a group of people.
In plain English
To suddenly fall unconscious, or to hand something out to a lot of people.
What does "pass out" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To distribute something to a group of people.
"The volunteer passed out free samples to everyone waiting in the queue."
separable
3 C1 idiomatic formal
(British, military/formal) To complete a course of military or police training and graduate in a ceremony.
"She passed out of Sandhurst and was commissioned as a second lieutenant."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move out of consciousness; to send things out to people.
Actually means
To suddenly fall unconscious, or to hand something out to a lot of people.
Usage tip
The 'lose consciousness' sense is intransitive and inseparable. The 'distribute' sense is transitive and separable ('pass the papers out'). The 'lose consciousness' sense is very common in everyday and medical contexts. In British military contexts, 'pass out' also means to complete training and graduate.
Words that pair with "pass out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
faint heat drunk exhaustion flyers leaflets
How to conjugate "pass out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
pass out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
passes out
he/she/it
Past simple
passed out
yesterday
Past participle
passed out
have + pp
-ing form
passing out
continuous
Hear "pass out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "pass out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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