WordVale

pass out

to faint; to distribute

In Phrasal Verbs

In more detail

1. (verb) to faint; to lose consciousness

2. (verb) to distribute or hand out something to a group of people

Examples

• 1. He passed out from the heat and had to be taken to the hospital.
• 2. The teacher passed out the exam papers to all the students.

How to use pass out

Pass out has two distinct meanings depending on context. The first meaning (lose consciousness) is common in medical or informal contexts and can result from shock, fatigue, or intoxication. The second meaning (distribute) is neutral and widely used in educational, workplace, and social settings. The context makes the intended meaning clear.

Common phrases

• pass out from exhaustion
• pass out cold
• pass out flyers
• pass out drinks
• nearly pass out

Synonyms

faint · lose consciousness · black out · distribute · hand out

Opposites

regain consciousness

Word family

passing out · passed out

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse pass out (lose consciousness suddenly) with pass away (die), or fail to recognize that pass out can function as both an intransitive verb (faint) and a transitive verb (distribute something).

Nearby in Phrasal Verbs

make up, narrow down, opt for, pay off, pick up, point out

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained