exclude
ihks-KLOOD
Exclude (verb) means to keep someone or something out, or leave it out of consideration. Example: “The club excludes anyone under eighteen.”
verb
1
To keep someone or something out, or leave it out of consideration.
"The club excludes anyone under eighteen."
"Tax is excluded from the price shown on the menu."
"We decided to exclude nuts from the recipe because one guest has an allergy."
2
In medicine or investigation, to rule something out as a possibility.
"The scan excluded a fracture, so doctors looked for other causes of the pain."
"Blood tests helped the doctor exclude diabetes as the cause of her tiredness."
"Investigators could not exclude a faulty wire as the cause of the fire."
How to use exclude
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo keep out, leave out, or rule out.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
exclude from
excluding tax
exclude a diagnosis
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- excludes
- Past tense
- excluded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The club _____ anyone under eighteen.
Etymology
From Latin excludere, "to shut out" — ex ("out") plus claudere ("to close").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for exclude
See all rhymes for exclude →Frequently asked questions
What does “exclude” mean?
The word “exclude” means to keep someone or something out, or leave it out of consideration. In plain terms, to keep out, leave out, or rule out.
How do you pronounce “exclude”?
“Exclude” is pronounced ihks-KLOOD (/ɪksˈkluːd/ in IPA).
How do you use “exclude” in a sentence?
Here is “exclude” used in a sentence: “The club excludes anyone under eighteen.”
What is another word for “exclude”?
Words with a similar meaning to “exclude” include forbar, turn away, throw out and turf out.
What is the opposite of “exclude”?
The opposite of “exclude” — its antonyms — is include.
What part of speech is “exclude”?
“Exclude” is a verb.
Where does the word “exclude” come from?
The word “exclude” comes from Latin. From Latin excludere, "to shut out" — ex ("out") plus claudere ("to close").
Is “exclude” a common word?
“Exclude” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between exclude and include?
Exclude means to keep something or someone out or leave it out of consideration, while include means to add or count something in. The two words are direct opposites, describing whether something is left out or brought in.
What is the difference between exclude and exempt?
Exclude means to leave someone or something out entirely, while exempt means someone is not required to do or follow something that otherwise applies, without necessarily being left out of the group altogether. For example, a person can be exempt from a rule while still being included in a group.
How is exclude used in a medical or investigative context?
In medicine or investigation, exclude means to rule something out as a possibility, such as tests being used to exclude a particular diagnosis. This usage confirms that a possibility has been eliminated rather than physically kept out.
