exiting

Meanings

1. 1verbintransitive

   Leaving a place, building, or vehicle; the -ing form of the verb "exit."

   Grammar: Used after be or another verb to make continuous tenses: She is exiting the stage.

   Patterns

   • be exiting something
   • exiting through something

   The passengers are exiting the plane through the front door.

   He was exiting the building when the alarm rang.

   Please wait until the train has finished exiting the tunnel.

2. 2verbtransitive or intransitivecomputing

   Closing a computer program or quitting a system; the -ing form of "exit."

   Grammar: Can take an object (exit the app) or stand alone (the program is exiting).

   Patterns

   • be exiting a program
   • exiting the system

   The screen froze while I was exiting the game.

   Users keep exiting the app because it is too slow.

   After exiting the program, save your work first.

Common combinations

be exiting the building

Staff were exiting the building calmly after the fire drill.

exiting the highway

Take the next lane when exiting the highway.

exiting traffic

Watch for exiting traffic when you cross the car park.

exiting the program

She lost her notes while exiting the program.

Synonyms and how they differ

leaving

The everyday word; "exiting" sounds more formal and is common on signs and in instructions.

departing

Also formal, but it usually refers to journeys and timetables rather than walking out of a room.

quitting

Fits software and jobs; it suggests giving something up rather than simply going out.

Opposites

Word family

exit noun

A way out of a building or a departure.

exit verb

To leave a place or close a program.

exited verb

The past tense and past participle of "exit."

Commonly confused: exiting or exciting?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “exiting”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words