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
1
A way out of a place, such as a door or a passage.
"The nearest exit is at the back of the building."
"Please keep the fire exit clear at all times."
"We slipped out through the side exit to avoid the crowd."
2
A slip road that leaves a motorway or major road.
"Take the next exit for the city centre."
"Traffic backed up along the exit because of roadworks ahead."
"You missed your exit, so we'll turn off at the next one."
verb
1
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."
"The actors exit stage left once the scene ends."
How to use exit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA way out of somewhere, or the act of leaving.
Common pairings
fire exit
emergency exit
exit strategy
exit the building
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Word forms
- Plural
- exits
- Third person singular
- exits
- Past tense
- exited
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").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for exit
See all rhymes for exit →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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