exeunt omnes
Very LowFormal, Literary, Technical
Definition
Meaning
A stage direction used in plays, meaning "they all exit".
Used literally as a theatrical term, and sometimes metaphorically to mean "everyone leaves" or marks a collective departure.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
It is a fixed Latin phrase (third-person plural present subjunctive of 'exire' 'to go out' + 'omnes' 'all'). It is used as a complete unit, not broken down in English usage. Almost exclusively encountered in the context of scripts and discussions of drama.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or use. Both regions recognize it as a standard theatrical term.
Connotations
Highly specific to theatre and classical literature. Outside that context, it is obscure and may be used humorously to sound archaic or pretentious.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Stage Direction] Exeunt omnes.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It was an 'exeunt omnes' moment.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in drama studies, literary analysis, and theatre history.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Core term in playwriting, script notation, and stage management.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The scene concludes and the actors exeunt omnes.
- The stage direction simply read 'Exeunt omnes.'.
American English
- After the final line, the script has 'Exeunt omnes.'.
- The director decided to have them exeunt omnes stage left.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- At the end of the act, the script says 'Exeunt omnes.'.
- The play's first draft lacked clear exits, so the dramaturg added 'Exeunt omnes' to clarify the scene's conclusion.
- The term 'exeunt omnes' is a relic of classical theatre that persists in modern playwriting.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'EXit' + 'UNT' (like 'aunt') + 'OMNES' (sounds like 'all my knees'—everyone's knees are leaving).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE END OF AN EVENT IS AN EXIT FROM A STAGE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate word-for-word ('выходят все') in an English theatrical context; use the Latin original 'exeunt omnes'.
- It is not a normal English phrase for 'everyone get out'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb in everyday speech (e.g., 'Let's exeunt omnes.').
- Spelling errors: 'exuent omnes', 'exeunt omnis'.
- Pronouncing 'exeunt' with a /ɡ/ sound (like 'exaggerate').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the phrase 'exeunt omnes' most naturally be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a Latin phrase that is a fully naturalized, standard term in English-language theatrical vocabulary.
No, it would sound extremely archaic and pretentious. Use 'everyone leaves' or 'they all go out' instead.
The singular stage direction is 'Exit' (for one character). 'Exeunt' is plural (they exit). 'Omnes' means 'all'.
In British English: /ˈɛksɪʌnt/. In American English: /ˈɛksiənt/. The stress is on the first syllable.