noun B1 Intermediate Common

exit

EHK-siht

Exit (noun) means a way out of a place, such as a door or a passage. Example: “The nearest exit is at the back of the building.”

noun

A way out of a place, such as a door or a passage.

"The nearest exit is at the back of the building."

A slip road that leaves a motorway or major road.

"Take the next exit for the city centre."

verb

To leave or go out of a place.

"Passengers should exit the train through the doors on the left."

"He exited the meeting without saying a word."

How to use exit

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA way out of somewhere, or the act of leaving.

Common pairings

fire exit emergency exit exit strategy exit the building

Word forms

exited past tense, exits plural, exits singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The nearest _____ is at the back of the building.

Etymology

From Latin exitus, "a way out" or "departure," from exire, "to go out" — ex- ("out") plus ire ("to go").

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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way out egress outlet doorway off-ramp gate

Related words

man door river solution progress shop entry gate

Rhymes for exit

Brexit

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Frequently asked questions

What does “exit” mean?

The word “exit” means a way out of a place, such as a door or a passage. In plain terms, a way out of somewhere, or the act of leaving.

How do you pronounce “exit”?

“Exit” is pronounced EHK-siht (/ˈeɪɡzɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “exit” in a sentence?

Here is “exit” used in a sentence: “The nearest exit is at the back of the building.”

What part of speech is “exit”?

Depending on how it is used, “exit” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “exit” come from?

The word “exit” comes from Latin. From Latin exitus, "a way out" or "departure," from exire, "to go out" — ex- ("out") plus ire ("to go").

Is “exit” a common word?

“Exit” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “exit” have?

“Exit” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a way out of a place, such as a door or a passage.

What is the difference between an exit and an entrance?

An exit is a way out of a place, such as a door or passage used to leave. An entrance is a way in, used to enter. Some openings serve as both, but the words describe opposite directions of movement.

What is the difference between 'exit' and 'egress'?

Both refer to a way out or the act of leaving, but egress is a more formal, legal, or technical word. In everyday speech, exit is far more common, while egress often appears in building codes and official documents.

What is the difference between a motorway exit and a junction?

An exit is the slip road you take to leave a motorway. A junction is the wider point where roads meet, and on UK motorways junctions are numbered and often include both entry and exit slip roads.

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