adjective / noun
past
PAST/pˈæst/
The time before the present or belonging to that time.
The childhood photograph shows the bear's condition in the past.
Etymology
Passen meant “go by.” Its past participle described something over or gone by; used as a noun, past names the time that has already gone by.
In context
a look to the past if you will before we go forward over that time
More examples
- We learned from our past mistakes.
- Her past remained a mystery to her neighbors.
- The two families had very different pasts.
Forms
past · pasts
Similar words
- history
- Usually concerns a record or account of earlier events.
- yesteryear
- Yesteryear is literary and often nostalgic.