Exit

/ˈɛksɪt/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
3 meanings2 idioms/phrases4 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

To leave a place or a situation; to go out.

/ˈɛksɪt/

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To go out or leave a place or situation.

Please exit the building immediately.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're at a party you're not enjoying. To exit means to leave, to make your way to the door and go home. It's like saying, 'I'm done, bye!'

👶 For kids: To exit means to go out or leave. Like when you leave your house to go play outside!

More Examples

2

They exited the room quietly.

3

To exit the application, close the window.

How It's Used

General

"The audience began to exit the theater after the performance."

Computing

"To exit the program, click on the 'exit' button."

2

A way out of a place or a situation; the act of leaving.

/ˈɛksɪt/

nounneutralBeginner
Location/Object

A way out; a place or means of leaving.

The emergency exit is located at the back of the building.

💡 Simply: Imagine a movie theater – the exit is the door you use to go out and get back to the real world after the show. An exit is just any way to leave a place.

👶 For kids: An exit is like a door that helps you go out of a place!

More Examples

2

The stage exit was hidden from the audience.

3

The only exit from the maze was through the center.

How It's Used

Architecture

"The fire exit is clearly marked."

Games/Entertainment

"The stage exit was on the left."

Tip:Think 'escape route'.
3

The act of leaving a place, situation, or a profession.

/ˈɛksɪt/

nounneutralmedium
Action

The act of leaving.

Her exit from the company was unexpected.

💡 Simply: Imagine a celebrity is leaving a fancy party. Their exit would be the moment they walk out the door, often making headlines. It’s the act of their leaving.

👶 For kids: Exit can also mean when you leave! Like when you make your exit from a play.

More Examples

2

The politician's exit from the race surprised everyone.

3

The sudden exit of the main character dramatically changed the storyline.

How It's Used

General

"The actor's sudden exit from the show caused a stir."

Tip:Think of it as someone making an 'exit stage left' or 'exit stage right'.

Idioms & expressions

exit strategy

A plan for leaving a situation, project, or investment, typically with a favorable outcome.

"The company developed an exit strategy to sell their assets."

stage exit

A place or method by which a performer leaves the stage.

"The actor made a dramatic stage exit."

From Latin *exitus*, meaning 'a going out', derived from *exire* 'to go out' (from *ex-* 'out' + *ire* 'to go').

The word 'exit' has been used since the late 16th century, originally as a verb meaning 'to depart' or 'to go forth'. The noun form, referring to a way out, developed soon after.

Memory tip

Think of an 'ex' as in 'out' and it makes sense!

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"a going out"

Base: exit
exit strategyemergency exitstage exitexit the buildingexit the program

Common misspellings

exittexcist

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written