exit

1 of 3

script annotation

ex·​it ˈeg-zət  ˈek-sət 

—used as a stage direction to specify who goes off stage

exit

2 of 3

noun

1

: a departure from a stage

2

a

: the act of going out or away

made an early exit

b

: death

3

: a way out of an enclosed place or space

4

: one of the designated points of departure from an expressway

exitless adjective

exit

3 of 3

verb

exited; exiting; exits

intransitive verb

1

: to go out or away : depart

2

: die

transitive verb

1

: leave sense 3a

2

: to cause (a computer program or routine) to cease running

Synonyms

Noun

• egress
• issue
• outlet

Verb

• bail
• bail out
• begone
• book [slang]
• bug off
• bug out
• bugger off [British slang]
• buzz (off)
• clear off [chiefly British]
• clear out
• cut out
• depart
• dig out
• get
• get off
• go
• go off
• move
• pack (up or off)
• part
• peel off
• pike (out or off)
• pull out
• push off
• push on
• quit
• run along
• sally (forth)
• scarper [British]
• shove (off)
• step (along)
• take off
• vamoose
• walk out

Examples of exit in a Sentence

Noun

Use the emergency exit in case of fire.

There are 12 exits in the building.

We can't get out this way: the sign says “No Exit.”

Verb

The team exited the tournament early.

Save your work and then exit the program.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This darkly familiar plotline recalls John Galliano’s fall from grace and subsequent exit from Christian Dior in 2011. —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2024

Pre-Biden’s exit, Harris’ polling was underwater—with 50% of the country having an unfavorable view, and only 32% favorable. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 23 Sep. 2024

After two consecutive first-round playoff exits, many analysts have shifted their perception of the Bucks from championship contenders to pretenders. —Brian Sampson, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2024

Cuban is set to stay through Season 16 ahead of his exit next year. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Script annotation

borrowed from Latin, third person singular present indicative of exeō, exīre "to come or go out," from ex- ex- entry 1 + īre "to go" — more at issue entry 1

Noun

in part derivative of exit entry 1 or exit entry 3, in part borrowed from Latin exitus "act of going out, departure, means of departure, way out, final point, conclusion," from exi-, variant stem of exīre "to come or go out" (from ex- ex- entry 1 + īre "to go") + -tus, suffix of action nouns — more at issue entry 1

Verb

derivative of exit entry 1 or exit entry 2

First Known Use

Script Annotation

circa 1548, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1607, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing exit

• exit poll
• exit strategy
• exit visa
• make a quick exit

Kids Definition

exit

1 of 3

ex·​it ˈeg-zət  ˈek-sət 

—used as a stage direction to indicate who goes off the stage

exit

2 of 3 noun

1

: a departure from a stage

2

: the act of going out or away

3

: a way to go out of a place

exit

3 of 3 verb

: to go out : leave, depart

Etymology

from Latin exit "he or she goes out," from exire "to go out," from ex- "out of, from" and ire "to go" — related to issue, itinerary