How to Pronounce Past

To pronounce "past", say PAST — one syllable, IPA /pɑːst/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

past

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

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1

Syllable

4

Letters

/pɑːst/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “past”

"past" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with aghast and steadfast, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: passed — easy to mix up when writing.

What does past mean?

verb

  1. To change place.
  2. To change in state or status

noun

  1. The period of time that has already happened, in contrast to the present and the future.

    “a book about a time machine that can transport people back into the past”

  2. (grammar) The past tense.

adjective

  1. Having already happened; in the past; finished.

    “past glories”

  2. (postmodifier) Following expressions of time to indicate how long ago something happened; ago.

Synonyms

spendpledgepromisevowtake heedtake noticeforetimeyestertidebygoneforegone

Hear “past” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with past

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

aghaststeadfastcastdowncastvastovercastblastcontrastfastoutcasticonoclastghast

Related words

bypastforegoneformererstwhilequondamagopreviousbygone

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "past"?▾

"Past" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "past"?▾

The IPA transcription of "past" is /pɑːst/.

What does "past" mean?▾

Past: To change place.

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