“Passed Away” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Have you ever heard someone use the term ‘passed away’ and wondered what it was they were referring to? We are going to take a look at the meaning of this saying as well as where it came from in the first place. We will also look at how the term can be used in an every day conversation.

“Passed Away” Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

• The phrase “passed away” is a polite or gentle way of saying that someone has died. It is often used to soften the emotional impact of death, making it a more compassionate or respectful way to discuss the topic of death, especially in sensitive situations.

“Passed Away” Meaning

The phrase “passed away” is a euphemism used to refer to someone who has died. It is often employed to soften the impact of the news of someone’s death and is considered a more gentle or respectful way to talk about the subject of mortality.

Examples:

• “I’m sorry to hear that your grandmother passed away.”
• “After a long illness, he finally passed away peacefully in his sleep.”

Origin of this idiom

Usage of “Passed Away” 

• In a personal context:

“My aunt passed away last week, and we’re having a memorial service for her this weekend.”

• Offering condolences:

“I was saddened to hear that your father passed away. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”

• In a formal announcement:

“We regret to inform you that Mr. Thompson passed away peacefully in his sleep last night.”

• Talking about a public figure:

“The renowned author passed away at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy of timeless literature.”

Related Terms to “Passed Away” 

• Died – the most straightforward term for someone who has lost their life.
• Deceased – a formal term used to refer to someone who has died.
• Departed – a euphemistic way to say someone has passed away.
• Gone – an informal term indicating that someone is no longer alive.
• Crossed over – a phrase suggesting someone has moved from life to death, often used in spiritual contexts.
• Rest in peace (RIP) – a common phrase used to express wishes for the deceased’s peaceful rest.
• Left us – a gentle way to indicate someone has died.
• Gone to a better place – a euphemism suggesting the person has moved to a more peaceful or positive state after death.
• Met their maker – a phrase suggesting someone has died and implies a return to a higher power or creator.
• In eternal rest – a way to describe someone who has died, emphasizing peace.

Other Ways to Say “Passed Away”

There are many other ways in which you might express the meaning of the phrase ‘passed away.’

Here are some examples of other things you can say.

• Deceased
• Departed this earth
• Passed on

“Passed Away” Examples

Examples in Statements

Here is a statement being made by a mother to her son.

• ‘I am sorry to tell you that your uncle passed away during the night.’

This next statement is taken from a news article.

• ‘Unfortunately the famous singer has now passed away. He will be missed by many people the world over.’

Other examples:

• The Prince Imperial passed away last night.
• This old man passed away peacefully this morning.
• My wife had just passed away, and I didn’t want to be around people.
• He passed away with a smile on his face.
• Have you heard? Carl passed away last night.

Conversation Examples

There are many instances where you might hear the term ‘passed away’ during a conversation. Here are some examples to show how it might work.

The first conversation is between a man and a doctor.

• Person 1: “I am sorry to tell you that your disease is terminal.”
• Person 2: “Are you saying that I won’t survive?”
• Person 1: “Yes, sadly you will pass away because of this condition.”

Here is a conversation being held between two friends.

• Person 1: “I haven’t seen Barry in a long time.”
• Person 2: “No, I believe he passed away last year,”