Passingly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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passingly

[ˈpæsɪŋli ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adverb

in passing

in a casual or incidental manner; briefly or superficially

Synonyms

briefly, casually, incidentally.

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Word Description / Examples
passingly

This appears to be a duplicate entry; refer to the first 'passingly' entry for context and examples.

  • This appears to be a duplicate entry; refer to the first 'passingly' entry for context and examples
casually

Often used to describe a manner of speaking or acting that is relaxed and informal, sometimes implying a lack of thoroughness or seriousness.

  • He casually mentioned that he had won an award
incidentally

Used when you bring up a new point or fact that is not directly related to the main topic of conversation, often connecting it with the previous statement.

  • Incidentally, did you know that they are moving to a new office?
briefly

Used when you want to talk about something for a short period of time, often summarizing or giving only the main points.

  • Let me explain briefly what the meeting will be about

Examples of usage

  • He mentioned it passingly during the conversation.
  • She smiled passingly as she walked by.
  • The topic was only touched upon passingly in the meeting.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • Authors often use the term to describe events or details that are not central to the story but contribute to the atmosphere.
  • It appears in poetry to convey fleeting feelings, enhancing the emotional depth without overwhelming the main theme.
  • The word is frequently employed in narratives to create a sense of speed or ephemerality.

Communication

  • In conversations, mentioning something passingly can indicate that the speaker does not consider it important or significant.
  • It may lead to misunderstandings if listeners focus too heavily on what was said briefly.
  • The use of 'passingly' allows speakers to convey ideas without delving into details, saving time in dialogue.

Psychology

  • Passively processing passingly mentioned information can lead to recall challenges later, as the brain may not prioritize it.
  • Research shows that people often overlook 'passingly' mentioned facts during discussions, affecting memory and comprehension.
  • It reflects how human attention works; we might notice quick details but rarely retain them.

Cultural References

  • In pop culture, characters might mention things passingly to indicate their disinterest or to move on quickly to another topic.
  • Songs and films often reflect themes of transient moments, echoing the idea of recognizing something only in passing.
  • The phrase 'in passing' is commonly used in social interactions to keep conversations light and breezy.

Origin of 'passingly'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'passingly' comes from the verb 'pass', which means to go by or through something.
  • It's formed by adding the suffix '-ly', which is used to turn adjectives into adverbs, indicating how an action is done.
  • In early uses from the 14th century, it suggested something fleeting or temporary.

The adverb 'passingly' is derived from the verb 'pass' which has roots in Old French and Latin. Over time, the adverb evolved to convey the idea of something being done briefly or superficially. It has been used in English language for centuries to describe actions or mentions that are done in a passing or casual manner.


See also: bypass, impassable, impasse, overpass, passable, passably, passage, passcode, passé, passenger, passer, passing, passion, passionately, passive, passkey, underpass, unpassability, unpassable.