Cool MateDepart vs Exit vs Leave vs Sign-outs
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Depart
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Exit
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Leave
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Sign-outs
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
| Depart | Exit | Leave | Sign-outs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dɪˈpɑːt//🇺🇸 //dɪˈpɑrt// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈeksɪt//ˈeɡzɪt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈeksɪt//ˈeɡzɪt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/liːv/","/liːvz/","/left/","/ˈliːvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/liːv/","/liːvz/","/left/","/ˈliːvɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈsaɪn.aʊts//🇺🇸 //ˈsaɪn.aʊts// |
| Meaning | To leave a place | the way out of a place | to go away from a place | When people leave or log off from a system or place. |
| Example | The train will depart from platform 5 at 3 PM. | Please locate the nearest exit in case of an emergency. | I will leave the house at 8 AM. | After finishing my work, I made sure to complete my sign-outs. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | noun | verb | |
| Collocations | depart from the norm, depart for a destination, depart on schedule | back, rear, side, head for, make for, bolt for, sign, door, gate, to the exit, towards/toward the exit, exit from, freeway, highway, interstate, get off at, take, ramp, point, exit for, exit to, fast, hasty, quick, make, visa, poll, plan, exit from | decide to, intend to, plan to, for, decide to, intend to, plan to, for, decide to, intend to, plan to, for | complete sign-outs, daily sign-outs, record sign-outs, sign-outs sheet, authorize sign-outs |
| Antonyms | arrive, stay, remain | entrance, entry | arrive, stay | sign-ins, log ins |
| Common mistakes | Using 'depart' with 'from' instead of just the destination, Confusing it with 'leave', Not using it in the correct tense | Confused with 'exceed' or 'exile', Using 'exiting' incorrectly as a gerund when an action is not intended, Misplacing 'exit' in sentences, leading to awkward phrasing | Confused with 'leave' as in 'not taking something' vs 'leave' meaning to depart., Using 'leave' without an object when the sentence requires one, e.g., 'leave the party.', Mixing up 'leave' with 'let' in phrases. | Confused with 'sign-in' which means to log in instead of log out., Using 'sign-out' as a noun incorrectly when it should be plural., Forgetting to use 'of' after 'sign out' when mentioning the system. |
| Usage notes | Use 'depart' in formal contexts or travel-related discussions. Less common in casual dialogue. | Use 'exit' when talking about leaving a place, especially in directions or instructions. Avoid in very casual conversations where simpler words like 'leave' might fit better. | Use 'leave' when departing from a location or letting go of something. Avoid in very formal writing where terms like 'depart' might be preferred. | Used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate when someone is leaving a location or logging off an account. Generally appropriate in workplace and educational settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Depart vs Exit vs Leave vs Sign-outs
What's the difference between Depart, Exit, Leave, and Sign-outs?
Depart: To leave a place Exit: the way out of a place Leave: to go away from a place Sign-outs: When people leave or log off from a system or place.
Can you show an example of each?
Depart: The train will depart from platform 5 at 3 PM. Exit: Please locate the nearest exit in case of an emergency. Leave: I will leave the house at 8 AM. Sign-outs: After finishing my work, I made sure to complete my sign-outs.
Can I use Depart, Exit, Leave, and Sign-outs interchangeably?
Not always. Depart, Exit, Leave, and Sign-outs are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.