pass for
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To be mistakenly seen as something that one is not
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
When I visited the offices in March, the walls were bare, the furniture battered. With the addition of a dead plant, the suite could pass for a graduate-student lounge.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To be sufficient, especially minimally so, for a specified purpose.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “pass for” mean?
To be mistakenly seen as something that one is not
Is “pass for” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.