To engage in an activity to make a period of time seem shorter or less boring.
Examples:
Reading books helps me pass the time during commutes.Playing board games is a fun way to pass the time.She chats with friends online to pass the time.
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Antonyms:
Spend time
To use or allocate a period for a specific activity or with someone
Examples:
He loves to spend time exploring new hiking trails.Let's spend time discussing the project details next week.You should spend time reflecting on your future goals.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
Pass the time implies doing something unproductive or simply to fill time when waiting for something else.
Spend time generally implies a more deliberate or meaningful use of time, often engaging in a planned activity.
When you pass the time, you are usually just trying to avoid boredom.
In contrast, when you spend time, you might be doing something you enjoy or find important.
Pass the time often refers to temporary or short-term solutions for using time.