En Passant
idiom / adverb /ˌɒn ˈpæs.ɒnt/ — In passing; by the way; casually mentioned
Definition
In passing — mentioned briefly, as a parenthetical, without dwelling. Also a specific chess move: a pawn capture that can only occur when a pawn passes through an adjacent square. The casual mention that carries more weight than its delivery suggests.
Beyond the definition
En passant is what people say the important things — the admission buried in an aside, the revelation delivered as an afterthought. The most significant things are sometimes passed over as if they were not.
Origin & history
French: 'in passing'. In chess: a special pawn capture move introduced in the 15th century when pawns gained the ability to move two squares. The name describes the capture of a pawn mid-transit.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She mentioned, en passant, that she was moving to another country. Just slipped it in.
The real revelation came en passant — not announced but embedded in a sentence about something else.
En passant is where the most important things are often said.
How to use it
Follow this entry’s examples for grammatical form and sentence placement.
Choose “En Passant” when the meaning fits your context: In passing — mentioned briefly, as a parenthetical, without dwelling. Also a specific chess move: a pawn capture that can only occur when a pawn passes through an adjacent square. The casual mention that carries more weight than its delivery suggests.
Synonyms
in passing, incidentally, parenthetically, in the by-and-by
Antonyms
deliberately, formally, at length
Related words
En Passant vs by the way
En passant refers to something mentioned briefly while discussing another topic, often borrowed from chess. By the way is a common, casual English phrase for introducing a side note.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Thoughtful Posture After a Meal
An adult sits at a table after a meal, lost in thought while staring at a candle flame.
The casual, unhurried presence of the adult contrasts with the intensity of a finished event. En passant refers to this brief, passing mention or action that occurs alongside the main experience, carrying subtle weight despite its quick delivery.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "En Passant" mean?
En Passant is idiom / adverb meaning: In passing; by the way; casually mentioned. In passing — mentioned briefly, as a parenthetical, without dwelling. Also a specific chess move: a pawn capture that can only occur when a pawn passes through an adjacent square. The casual mention that carries more weight than its delivery suggests.
Where does the word "En Passant" come from?
French: 'in passing'. In chess: a special pawn capture move introduced in the 15th century when pawns gained the ability to move two squares. The name describes the capture of a pawn mid-transit.