passe: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-MediumFormal, Evaluative, Literary
Quick answer
What does “passe” mean?
No longer fashionable or up to date.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
No longer fashionable or up to date.
Describes something that was once popular or considered stylish but is now seen as outmoded or behind the times; can also imply a loss of relevance or vitality.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: In US English, the accent (passé) is often dropped. In UK English, the accent is more commonly retained.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to be used in fashion/arts criticism in the UK; in the US, it can be applied more broadly to trends, ideas, or technology.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English, particularly in written media. In US English, it is considered a somewhat literary or sophisticated term.
Grammar
How to Use “passe” in a Sentence
It is/was/seems [passe].That [noun] is [passe].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “passe” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb form in this sense. The English verb 'pass' has different forms.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb form in this sense.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Her views on the subject are considered rather passé.
- That nightclub is terribly passé these days.
American English
- His flip phone is totally passe.
- The whole trend became passe almost overnight.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in marketing or trend analysis: 'Their business model is looking rather passe.'
Academic
Used in cultural studies, art history, and sociology to critique ideas or movements.
Everyday
Used to comment on fashion, music, slang, or social customs: 'Using that phrase is so passe.'
Technical
Not typical.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “passe”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “passe”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “passe”
- Misspelling as 'passe' without accent where expected (UK), or incorrectly adding an accent where it is not used (US). Confusing it with the verb 'pass.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is borrowed directly from French, where it is the past participle of 'passer' (to pass). In English, it is used only as an adjective.
In UK English and formal writing, the accent (passé) is standard. In US English, it is common to see it written without the accent as 'passe.'
Yes, but it usually describes their style, ideas, or tastes, not the person intrinsically (e.g., 'His ideas are passe' rather than 'He is passe').
'Obsolete' implies no longer in use or produced, often for functional reasons (e.g., an obsolete machine). 'Passe' implies no longer fashionable or stylish, focusing on aesthetic or cultural relevance.
No longer fashionable or up to date.
Passe is usually formal, evaluative, literary in register.
Passe: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɑːseɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /pæˈseɪ/ or /pɑˈseɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A thing of the past”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PASSE rhymes with 'classy,' but if something is PASSE, its 'class' has PASSED.
Conceptual Metaphor
FASHION/IDEAS ARE A MOVING TARGET (to be 'passé' is to have been left behind by the moving target of fashion).
Practice
Quiz
Which context is 'passe' LEAST likely to be used in?