Close vs. Exit — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 31, 2023
Close means to shut something or bring to an end; Exit means to leave or go out from a place or situation.
Difference Between Close and Exit
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Close is a verb that often implies the act of making something not open or bringing a particular activity to an end. For instance, when we close a door, we are ensuring that it's shut. Similarly, when a store closes, it ceases its operations for the day. Exit, on the other hand, primarily signifies the act of leaving a place or a situation. For example, when one exits a building, they are leaving it.
While both words can be used in the context of ending or terminating an activity, close generally emphasizes the conclusion or sealing off, whereas exit stresses the act of departure or moving out.
Furthermore, in the realm of computing, to close might mean to shut a particular window or application without ending the program entirely. Exiting, in this context, would indicate the termination of the program's operation altogether.
Thus, while both verbs denote some form of ending, the nuances they carry in various contexts set them apart.
Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
To shut or bring to an end.
To leave or go out from a place/situation.
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Contextual Usage
Ending activities or sealing off.
Departure or moving out.
In Computing
Shutting a window or app without ending it.
Terminating a program's operation.
Associated Prepositions
Close to, close by, close with.
Exit from, exit through, exit by.
Parts of Speech
Can be a verb, adjective, or noun.
Primarily used as a noun or verb.
Compare with Definitions
Close
To bring together the parts of.
She decided to close the book.
Exit
A way out of an enclosed place or space.
Take the next exit to reach the mall.
Close
To cease or finish an activity.
The store will close at 9 PM.
Exit
A departure of a performer off the stage.
After his lines, he made his exit.
Close
To block against entry or passage.
Please close the gate behind you.
Exit
The act of going away or out.
Close
Only a short distance away or apart in space or time
Her birthday and mine were close together
The hotel is close to the sea
Why don't we go straight to the shops, as we're so close?
Exit
A passage or way out
An emergency exit in a theater.
Took the second exit on the throughway.
Close
Denoting a family member who is part of a person's immediate family, typically a parent or sibling
The family history of cancer in close relatives
Exit
The departure of a performer from the stage.
Close
(of observation, examination, etc.) done in a careful and thorough way
Pay close attention to what your body is telling you about yourself
Exit
Death.
Close
Uncomfortably humid or airless
It was very close in the dressing room
A close, hazy day
Exit
To make one's exit; depart.
Close
Another term for high (sense 7 of the adjective)
Exit
To go out of; leave
Exited the plane through a rear door.
Close
Very near to someone or something; with very little space between
He was holding her close
They stood close to the door
Exit
(Computers) To terminate the execution of (an application)
Exited the subroutine.
Close
A residential street without through access
She lives at 12 Goodwood Close
Exit
An act of going out or going away, or leaving; a departure.
He made his exit at the opportune time.
Close
The end of an event or of a period of time or activity
The afternoon drew to a close
The seminar was brought to a close with a discussion of future trends
Exit
The action of an actor leaving a scene or the stage.
Close
The shutting of something, especially a door
The door jerked to a close behind them
Exit
A way out.
Close
Move so as to cover an opening
She jumped on to the train just as the doors were closing
They had to close the window because of the insects
She closed the door quietly
I kept closing my eyes and nodding off
Exit
An opening or passage through which one can go from inside a place (such as a building, a room, or a vehicle) to the outside; an egress.
Emergency exit
Fire exit
He was looking for the exit and got lost.
She stood at the exit of the house looking back and waving at those inside.
Close
Bring or come to an end
The concert closed with ‘Silent Night’
The members were thanked for attending and the meeting was closed
Exit
(road transport) A minor road (such as a ramp or slip road) which is used to leave a major road (such as an expressway, highway, or motorway).
Close
(of a business, organization, or institution) cease to be in operation or accessible to the public, either permanently or at the end of a working day or other period of time
A hoax call which closed the city's stations for 4 hours
The factory is to close with the loss of 150 jobs
Exit
The act of departing from life; death.
The untimely exit of a respected politician
Close
Gradually get nearer to someone or something
He tried to walk faster, but each time the man closed up on him again
They plotted a large group of aircraft about 130 miles away and closing fast
Exit
(intransitive) To go out or go away from a place or situation; to depart, to leave.
Close
Being near in space or time. See Usage Note at redundancy.
Exit
(theatre) To leave a scene or depart from a stage.
Desdemona exits stage left.
Close
Being near in relationship
Close relatives.
Exit
To depart from life; to die.
Close
Bound by mutual interests, loyalties, or affections; intimate
Close friends.
Exit
To end or terminate (a program, subroutine, etc.)
Close
Having little or no space between elements or parts; tight and compact
A close weave.
Exit
To depart from or leave (a place or situation).
Close
Being near the surface; short
A close haircut.
Exit
To alight or disembark from a vehicle.
Close
Being on the brink of
Close to tears.
Exit
To give up the lead.
Close
Decided by a narrow margin; almost even
A close election.
Exit
Used as a stage direction for an actor: to leave the scene or stage.
Close
Faithful to the original
A close copy.
Exit
He (or she ) goes out, or retires from view; as, exit Macbeth.
Close
Very attentive; rigorous; thorough
A close reading.
Close supervision.
Exit
The departure of a player from the stage, when he has performed his part.
They have their exits and their entrances.
Close
Shut; closed.
Exit
Any departure; the act of quitting the stage of action or of life; death; as, to make one's exit.
Sighs for his exit, vulgarly called death.
Close
Shut in; enclosed.
Exit
A way of departure; passage out of a place; egress; way out.
Forcing the water forth through its ordinary exits.
Close
Confining or narrow; crowded
Close quarters.
Exit
An opening that permits escape or release;
He blocked the way out
The canyon had only one issue
Close
Fitting tightly
Close garments.
Exit
Euphemistic expressions for death;
Thousands mourned his passing
Close
Warm and humid or stuffy
Close weather.
A close room.
Exit
The act of going out
Close
Confined to specific persons or groups
A close secret.
Exit
Move out of or depart from;
Leave the room
The fugitive has left the country
Close
Strictly confined or guarded
Kept under close custody.
Exit
Lose the lead
Close
Secretive; reticent
Was close about her personal life.
Exit
Pass from physical life and lose all all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life;
She died from cancer
They children perished in the fire
The patient went peacefully
Close
Giving or spending with reluctance; stingy
He is known to be close with his money.
Exit
The act of going out or leaving a place.
He made a swift exit from the party.
Close
Not easily acquired; scarce
Money was close.
Exit
To leave a place or situation.
She exited the room without saying a word.
Close
(Linguistics) Pronounced with the tongue near the palate, as the ee in meet. Used of vowels.
Exit
Termination or the end.
The exit of a prominent figure from the company was sudden.
Close
Marked by more rather than less punctuation, especially commas.
Close
To move (a door, for example) so that an opening or passage is covered or obstructed; shut.
Close
To bar access to
Closed the road for repairs.
Close
To fill or stop up
Closed the cracks with plaster.
Close
To stop the operations of permanently or temporarily
Closed down the factory.
Close
To make unavailable for use
Closed the area to development.
Closed the database to further changes.
Close
To bring to an end; terminate
Close a letter.
Close a bank account.
Close
To bring together all the elements or parts of
Management closed ranks and ostracized the troublemaker.
Close
To join or unite; bring into contact
Close a circuit.
Close
To draw or bind together the edges of
Close a wound.
Close
(Sports) To modify (one's stance), as in baseball or golf, by turning the body so that the forward shoulder and foot are closer to the intended point of impact with the ball.
Close
To complete the final details or negotiations on
Close a deal.
Close
(Archaic) To enclose on all sides.
Close
To become shut
The door closed quietly.
Close
To come to an end; finish
The book closes on a hopeful note.
Close
To reach an agreement; come to terms
We close on the house next week.
Close
To cease operation
The shop closes at six.
Close
To be priced or listed at a specified amount when trading ends
Stocks closed higher on Monday.
Close
To engage at close quarters
Closed with the enemy.
Close
To draw near
The orbiter closed with the space station in preparation for docking.
Close
To come together
My arms closed around the little child.
Close
(Baseball) To finish a game by protecting a lead. Used of relief pitchers.
Close
The act of closing.
Close
A conclusion; a finish
The meeting came to a close.
Close
(Music) The concluding part of a phrase or theme; a cadence.
Close
(klōs) An enclosed place, especially land surrounding or beside a cathedral or other building.
Close
(klōs) Chiefly British A narrow way or alley.
Close
(Archaic) A fight at close quarters.
Close
In a close position or manner; closely
Stayed close together.
Close
(physical) To remove a gap.
Close
To obstruct (an opening).
Close
To move so that an opening is closed.
Close the door behind you when you leave.
Jim was listening to headphones with his eyes closed.
Close
To make (e.g. a gap) smaller.
The runner in second place is closing the gap on the leader.
To close the ranks of an army
Close
To move to a position preventing fluid from flowing.
Close
To move to a position allowing electricity to flow.
Close
To grapple; to engage in close combat.
Close
To finish, to terminate.
Close
To put an end to; to conclude; to complete; to finish; to consummate.
Close the session;
To close a bargain;
To close a course of instruction
Close
To come to an end.
The debate closed at six o'clock.
Close
(marketing) To make a sale.
Close
To make the final outs, usually three, of a game.
He has closed the last two games for his team.
Close
To terminate an application, window, file or database connection, etc.
Close
To cancel or reverse (a trading position).
Close
To come or gather around; to enclose; to encompass; to confine.
Close
(surveying) To have a vector sum of 0; that is, to form a closed polygon.
Close
(intransitive) To do the tasks (putting things away, locking doors, etc.) required to prepare a store or other establishment to shut down for the night.
Whoever closed last night forgot to turn off the closet light.
Close
(Philippines) To turn off; to switch off.
Close
An end or conclusion.
We owe them our thanks for bringing the project to a successful close.
Close
The manner of shutting; the union of parts; junction.
Close
(sales) The point at the end of a sales pitch when the consumer is asked to buy.
Close
A grapple in wrestling.
Close
(music) The conclusion of a strain of music; cadence.
Close
(music) A double bar marking the end.
Close
The time when checkin staff will no longer accept passengers for a flight.
Close
An enclosed field.
Close
(chiefly British) A street that ends in a dead end.
Close
(Scotland) A very narrow alley between two buildings, often overhung by one of the buildings above the ground floor.
Close
(Scotland) The common staircase in a tenement.
Close
A cathedral close.
Close
(legal) The interest which one may have in a piece of ground, even though it is not enclosed
Close
Closed, shut.
Close
Narrow; confined.
A close alley; close quarters
Close
At a little distance; near.
Is your house close?
Close
Intimate; well-loved.
He is a close friend.
Close
(legal) Of a corporation or other business entity, closely held.
Close
Oppressive; without motion or ventilation; causing a feeling of lassitude.
Close
Hot, humid, with no wind.
Close
Articulated with the tongue body relatively close to the hard palate.
Close
Strictly confined; carefully guarded.
A close prisoner
Close
(obsolete) Out of the way of observation; secluded; secret; hidden.
Close
Nearly equal; almost evenly balanced.
A close contest
Close
Short.
To cut grass or hair close
Close
(archaic) Dense; solid; compact.
Close
(archaic) Concise; to the point.
Close reasoning
Close
(dated) Difficult to obtain.
Money is close.
Close
(dated) Parsimonious; stingy.
Close
Adhering strictly to a standard or original; exact.
A close translation; a close copy
Close
Accurate; careful; precise; also, attentive; undeviating; strict.
The patient was kept under close observation.
Close
Marked, evident.en
Close
Almost, but not quite (getting to an answer or goal); near
No, but you were close.
We were so close to winning!
Close
To stop, or fill up, as an opening; to shut; as, to close the eyes; to close a door.
Close
To bring together the parts of; to consolidate; as, to close the ranks of an army; - often used with up.
Close
To bring to an end or period; to conclude; to complete; to finish; to end; to consummate; as, to close a bargain; to close a course of instruction.
One frugal supper did our studies close.
Close
To come or gather around; to inclose; to encompass; to confine.
The depth closed me round about.
But now thou dost thyself immure and closeIn some one corner of a feeble heart.
Close
To come together; to unite or coalesce, as the parts of a wound, or parts separated.
What deep wounds ever closed without a scar?
Close
To end, terminate, or come to a period; as, the debate closed at six o'clock.
Close
To grapple; to engage in hand-to-hand fight.
They boldly closed in a hand-to-hand contest.
Close
The manner of shutting; the union of parts; junction.
The doors of plank were; their close exquisite.
Close
Conclusion; cessation; ending; end.
His long and troubled life was drawing to a close.
Close
A grapple in wrestling.
Close
The conclusion of a strain of music; cadence.
At every close she made, the attending throngReplied, and bore the burden of the song.
Close
An inclosed place; especially, a small field or piece of land surrounded by a wall, hedge, or fence of any kind; - specifically, the precinct of a cathedral or abbey.
Closes surrounded by the venerable abodes of deans and canons.
Close
A narrow passage leading from a street to a court, and the houses within.
Close
The interest which one may have in a piece of ground, even though it is not inclosed.
Close
Shut fast; closed; tight; as, a close box.
From a close bower this dainty music flowed.
Close
Narrow; confined; as, a close alley; close quarters.
Close
Oppressive; without motion or ventilation; causing a feeling of lassitude; - said of the air, weather, etc.
If the rooms be low-roofed, or full of windows and doors, the one maketh the air close, . . . and the other maketh it exceeding unequal.
Close
Strictly confined; carefully quarded; as, a close prisoner.
Close
Out of the way observation; secluded; secret; hidden.
"Her close intent."
Close
Disposed to keep secrets; secretive; reticent.
Close
Having the parts near each other; dense; solid; compact; as applied to bodies; viscous; tenacious; not volatile, as applied to liquids.
The golden globe being put into a press, . . . the water made itself way through the pores of that very close metal.
Close
Concise; to the point; as, close reasoning.
Close
Adjoining; near; either in space; time, or thought; - often followed by to.
Plant the spring crocuses close to a wall.
The thought of the Man of sorrows seemed a very close thing - not a faint hearsay.
Close
Short; as, to cut grass or hair close.
Close
Intimate; familiar; confidential.
League with you I seekAnd mutual amity, so strait, so close,That I with you must dwell, or you with me.
Close
Nearly equal; almost evenly balanced; as, a close vote.
Close
Difficult to obtain; as, money is close.
Close
Parsimonious; stingy.
Close
Adhering strictly to a standard or original; exact; strict; as, a close translation.
Close
Accurate; careful; precise; also, attentive; undeviating; strict; not wandering; as, a close observer.
Close
Uttered with a relatively contracted opening of the mouth, as certain sounds of e and o in French, Italian, and German; - opposed to open.
Close
In a close manner.
Close
Secretly; darkly.
A wondrous vision which did close implyThe course of all her fortune and posterity.
Close
The temporal end; the concluding time;
The stopping point of each round was signaled by a bell
The market was up at the finish
They were playing better at the close of the season
Close
The last section of a communication;
In conclusion I want to say...
Close
The concluding part of any performance
Close
Cease to operate or cause to cease operating;
The owners decided to move and to close the factory
My business closes every night at 8 P.M.
Close
Complete a business deal, negotiation, or an agreement;
We closed on the house on Friday
They closed the deal on the building
Close
Move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut;
Close the door
Shut the window
Close
Bar access to;
Due to the accident, the road had to be closed for several hours
Close
Finish or terminate (meetings, speeches, etc.);
The meeting was closed with a charge by the chairman of the board
Close
Draw near;
The probe closed with the space station
Close
Come to a close;
The concert closed with a nocturne by Chopin
Close
Become closed;
The windows closed with a loud bang
Close
Come together, as if in an embrace;
Her arms closed around her long lost relative
Close
Unite or bring into contact or bring together the edges of;
Close the circuit
Close a wound
Close
Bring together all the elements or parts of;
Management closed ranks
Close
Engage at close quarters;
Close with the enemy
Close
Be priced or listed when trading stops;
The stock market closed high this Friday
My new stocks closed at $59 last night
Close
Cause a window or an application to disappear on a computer desktop
Close
Change one's body stance so that the forward shoulder and foot are closer to the intended point of impact
Close
Fill or stop up;
Can you close the cracks with caulking?
Close
Finish a game in baseball by protecting a lead;
The relief pitcher closed with two runs in the second inning
Close
At or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other;
Close to noon
How close are we to town?
A close formation of ships
Close
Close in relevance or relationship;
A close family
We are all...in close sympathy with...
Close kin
A close resemblance
Close
Not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances;
Near neighbors
In the near future
They are near equals
His nearest approach to success
A very near thing
A near hit by the bomb
She was near tears
She was close to tears
Had a close call
Close
Rigorously attentive; strict and thorough;
Close supervision
Paid close attention
A close study
Kept a close watch on expenditures
Close
Marked by fidelity to an original;
A close translation
A faithful copy of the portrait
A faithful rendering of the observed facts
Close
(of a contest or contestants) evenly matched;
A close contest
A close election
A tight game
Close
Crowded;
Close quarters
Close
Lacking fresh air;
A dusty airless attic
The dreadfully close atmosphere
Hot and stuffy and the air was blue with smoke
Close
Of textiles;
A close weave
Smooth percale with a very tight weave
Close
Strictly confined or guarded;
Kept under close custody
Close
Confined to specific persons;
A close secret
Close
Fitting closely but comfortably;
A close fit
Close
Used of hair or haircuts;
A close military haircut
Close
Giving or spending with reluctance;
Our cheeseparing administration
Very close (or near) with his money
A penny-pinching miserly old man
Close
Inclined to secrecy or reticence about divulging information;
Although they knew her whereabouts her friends kept close about it
Close
Near in time or place or relationship;
As the wedding day drew near
Stood near the door
Don't shoot until they come near
Getting near to the true explanation
Her mother is always near
The end draws nigh
The bullet didn't come close
Don't get too close to the fire
Close
In an attentive manner;
He remained close on his guard
Close
To bring to a conclusion.
It's time to close the discussion.
Common Curiosities
Does closing always imply physically shutting something?
No, close can be used metaphorically, e.g., "close a deal."
Is close related to proximity?
Yes, close can be an adjective meaning near in space or time, e.g., "a close friend."
In computing, does exiting an application save data?
Not necessarily. It depends on the application. Some might save automatically, while others require manual saving before exiting.
What is the opposite of close in terms of opening something?
The opposite action of close in that context would be "open."
Can close be used as a noun?
Yes, close can be used as a noun, e.g., "at the close of the day."
Can exit mean the death of a person in literature?
Yes, in literature, "exit" can be a euphemism for death.
Can close mean intimate or near in relationships?
Yes, close can refer to intimate relationships, e.g., "they are very close siblings."
Can exit refer to the end of an event or period?
Yes, exit can signify the end or termination of something, e.g., "the exit of an era."
Can "exit" be used as a command?
Yes, especially in digital contexts, like "press exit to leave the program."
Is exit primarily a noun or a verb?
Exit can be both, but it's commonly used as a noun, e.g., "an emergency exit."
What's the difference between "exit" and "entrance"?
"Exit" is a way out, while "entrance" is a way in.
In theater, what does it mean when a character "makes an exit"?
It means the character leaves the stage.
Is there a specific sign indicating exits in buildings?
Yes, buildings often have "exit" signs, which are especially illuminated in emergencies.
Can close be used in a financial context?
Yes, it can refer to the final procedure in a financial transaction, e.g., "the close of a sale."
Which word is more final, close or exit?
Context matters, but generally, "exit" implies a more definitive departure, while "close" may imply potential for reopening or resumption.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
