exit
exit — interjection
1. a word printed in a play script to tell an actor when to walk off the stage duri
a word printed in a play script to tell an actor when to walk off the stage during a scene
The most famous stage direction in English literature is "Exit, pursued by a bear."
classic Shakespearean stage direction
The script says "Exit" after each character finishes their final speech.
In the script for Act 1, the word "Exit" appears after the butler's final line.
the word Exit as a printed stage direction in a script
The director wrote "Exit" beside each character who leaves in the final act.
Usage Note
This interjection appears only in printed play scripts and is not spoken aloud during a performance.
exit — noun
1. an opening or door that allows someone to leave a building, room, or large vehic
an opening or door that allows someone to leave a building, room, or large vehicle
The fire exit is at the back of the building near the kitchen.
collocation: fire exit
Otis stood by the exit and waved goodbye to each guest.
Passengers must use the front exit when leaving the bus.
collocation: front exit / rear exit
Talia looked for an exit sign but could not see one in the dark room.
collocation: exit sign
- fire exit
- emergency exit
- exit sign
- rear exit
- front exit
- entrance
the door or opening used to go into a place
Common Mistakes
2. the moment when an actor walks off the stage at the end of a scene or performanc
the moment when an actor walks off the stage at the end of a scene or performance
The actor made a dramatic exit through a trapdoor on the stage floor.
collocation: make a dramatic exit
Heloísa practiced her exit three times before the director was happy.
The audience applauded loudly during the main character's final exit.
The comedian's exit from the stage was interrupted when he tripped over a cable.
- make an exit
- dramatic exit
- stage exit
- final exit
- departure
broader term; can be used outside theatre for any leaving
- entrance
the moment an actor comes onto the stage
Usage Note
Often used with the verb 'make' — 'make an exit'. Distinguish from noun sense 1 (DOOR) which refers to a physical opening, not an action.
3. the act of permanently leaving a job, company, or organised activity such as a c
the act of permanently leaving a job, company, or organised activity such as a contest or programme
Christopher announced his exit from the company after twelve years of service.
collocation: announce one's exit from [organization]
The singer's exit from the competition surprised both fans and judges.
Faisal planned a smooth exit from the project by training his replacement.
The CEO's sudden exit caused a lot of uncertainty among the staff.
- announce one's exit
- make an exit
- exit strategy
- exit from
- sudden exit
- departure
more general; exit often carries a sense of finality or being noticed
- resignation
specifically refers to leaving a job; more formal
- arrival
the act of joining an organization or starting a job
Usage Note
Often implies a permanent or significant departure, not a temporary leave. Can be followed by 'from' to specify the organization.
Common Mistakes
4. a connecting road that drivers use to get off a highway, freeway, or expressway
a connecting road that drivers use to get off a highway, freeway, or expressway
Take the next exit if you want to get to the shopping centre.
collocation: take the [number/next] exit
Minh missed the exit and had to drive another ten kilometres.
The exit for the airport is clearly marked with a blue sign.
Omar slowed down as he approached the exit from the highway.
- take an exit
- miss an exit
- exit ramp
- exit number
- next exit
- exit sign
- entry ramp
the road used to join a highway from a smaller road
Usage Note
In British English, this is often called a 'junction' or 'slip road'. In American English, exits are typically numbered (e.g. 'Exit 23').
exit — verb
1. to go out of or away from a building, room, vehicle, or other enclosed place
to go out of or away from a building, room, vehicle, or other enclosed place
Indra exited the building through the fire escape when the alarm went off.
transitive: exit + noun phrase
Passengers must exit the train through the doors on the platform side.
Tunde exited the lecture hall quietly so nobody would notice.
The driver asked everyone to exit the bus through the rear door.
collocation: exit through [specific door/route]
Jiwoo exited the cinema feeling disappointed by the movie's ending.
- exit a building
- exit a vehicle
- exit through
- exit from
- enter
to go into a place
Grammar Patterns
exit + noun phrase
exit from + noun phrase
exit through + noun phrase
Usage Note
More formal than 'leave' or 'go out of'. Frequently used in official signs and announcements. For entering a place, use 'enter'.
Common Mistakes
2. to walk off the stage during a play or performance, following the script's instr
to walk off the stage during a play or performance, following the script's instruction
The actor exits left after delivering the final line of the scene.
stage direction formula: exit + left/right
Alessia forgot to exit at the right moment and stayed on stage too long.
In the second act, the king exits through a hidden door at the back.
The lead dancer exited gracefully while the audience was still clapping.
- exit left
- exit right
- exit stage left
- exit through
- leave the stage
everyday language; less technical than 'exit'
- enter
to walk onto the stage from offstage
Grammar Patterns
exit + adverb/prepositional phrase
Usage Note
Used almost exclusively in theatrical contexts. In modern plays, the stage direction is usually written in the present tense: 'exits' rather than 'exit'.
3. to drive off a main road such as a highway or expressway onto a smaller connecti
to drive off a main road such as a highway or expressway onto a smaller connecting road
Exit the highway at the next junction to reach the petrol station.
collocation: exit [road] at [point]
Sora exited the motorway and followed the signs towards the old town.
Drivers should exit the freeway slowly and check for other cars.
We need to exit the highway soon — the restaurant is just past Exit 14.
- exit the highway
- exit the motorway
- exit the freeway
- exit at
- turn off
more general; can be used for any road, not just highways
- join
to enter a main road from a smaller road
Grammar Patterns
exit + noun phrase (road name/number)
Usage Note
Usually takes a named or numbered road as the object. Can be used without an object in informal speech ('We exit here'). Not used for pulling off to the side of the road.
Common Mistakes
4. to leave a job, company, competition, or other organization permanently or for a
to leave a job, company, competition, or other organization permanently or for a significant reason
Anthony exited the competition in the semi-finals after a close match.
Several board members decided to exit the company after the takeover.
The team captain exited the tournament due to a knee injury.
Talia exited the programme early when she received a better job offer.
collocation: exit [programme/competition] early
- exit a company
- exit a competition
- exit the market
- exit from
- exit early
- leave
less formal; the most common choice in everyday situations
- quit
informal; suggests the person chose to stop on their own
- resign from
formal; specifically for jobs and official positions
Grammar Patterns
exit + noun phrase
exit from + noun phrase
Usage Note
More formal than 'leave' or 'quit'. Frequently used in business and media contexts to describe departures from high-profile positions.
Common Mistakes
5. to end a software application so that it stops working and you go back to the co
to end a software application so that it stops working and you go back to the computer's main screen
Save your work before you exit the program, or you might lose it.
collocation: exit the program/application
Christopher clicked the red button to exit the editing software.
The game froze, so Alessia had to force-exit using the task manager.
A box appeared asking if Otis wanted to exit without saving changes.
- exit the program
- exit the application
- exit without saving
- force exit
- exit the game
Grammar Patterns
exit + noun phrase
exit from + noun phrase
Usage Note
Can be used with or without an object. 'Exit the program' (transitive) and 'Exit from the program' (intransitive) mean the same thing. In menu labels, the word 'Exit' or 'Quit' appears alone.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- exiternounC2
- exitlessadjectiveC2
- re-exitverbC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
These four verbs all describe moving away from a place, but they differ in formality, scope, and typical contexts. 'Leave' is the most common and neutral choice for everyday situations — you leave a room, a house, or a party. 'Exit' is more formal and often used for buildings, vehicles, or computer programs; you rarely 'exit' a party or a friend's apartment. 'Depart' is the most formal of the group, typically reserved for scheduled travel (trains, flights, buses) or formal occasions. 'Go out of' is conversational and focuses on the direction of movement rather than the act of leaving itself. 'Withdraw' suggests leaving for strategic or deliberate reasons, often from negotiations, competitions, or financial accounts. For example: 'Aiko left the office at six' (neutral), 'Passengers must exit the aircraft through the rear door' (formal instruction), and 'The train departs from Platform 2' (scheduled event).
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'exit' comes from Latin 'exire', meaning 'to go out'. This was formed by combining 'ex-' (out) and 'ire' (to go). Latin 'exire' passed into French as 'issue' and later into English in the 16th century, first used as a stage direction in plays. The modern meanings — a physical way out, the act of leaving, and closing a computer program — all developed from this basic idea of going out.