sign-out: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-HighNeutral to Formal (especially in workplace/tech contexts); Everyday (digital context).
Quick answer
What does “sign-out” mean?
To formally record your departure from a place or system, especially by writing your name or by entering a password/command.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To formally record your departure from a place or system, especially by writing your name or by entering a password/command.
To exit a digital account, system, or application; to indicate one is leaving a physical location (e.g., a building) in an official log.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major semantic differences. 'Sign out' is standard in both. In physical guest books, British English may use 'sign out' slightly less than 'sign the book on leaving'.
Connotations
Identical. Connotes procedure, security, and formality.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties, especially in digital/tech contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “sign-out” in a Sentence
[Subject] + sign out + (of/from + [system/place])[Subject] + sign + [object: oneself/equipment] + out + (of/from + [place])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sign-out” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Please sign out of the shared drive before you leave.
- Visitors must sign out at the reception desk.
American English
- Make sure you sign out of the application when finished.
- He signed the company car out for the day.
adjective
British English
- The sign-out sheet is on the counter.
- Follow the sign-out procedure.
American English
- Click the sign-out button in the top corner.
- There's a mandatory sign-out policy for equipment.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Employees must sign out of the shared computer terminal.
Academic
Students are required to sign out library books using their ID.
Everyday
Don't forget to sign out of your email on public computers.
Technical
The session will timeout and automatically sign the user out after 15 minutes of inactivity.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sign-out”
- Using 'log out' only for computers and 'sign out' for physical places, though they overlap. *'I signed out my account' (incorrect) vs. 'I signed out of my account' (correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a verb, it is typically two words: 'sign out'. The noun form is often hyphenated: 'sign-out' (e.g., 'the sign-out process').
They are largely synonymous in digital contexts. 'Log out' is slightly more technical/computer-specific. 'Sign out' can also apply to physical locations (e.g., signing out a key).
Yes, when the context is clear. E.g., 'The meeting is over, I'm going to sign out.' However, when specifying the system, use 'of' or 'from': 'sign out of Windows'.
In computing, 'logout' (one word) is common. 'Signout' is less standard but sometimes seen in technical documentation. For clarity, 'sign out' (verb) and 'sign-out' (adjective/noun) are preferred.
To formally record your departure from a place or system, especially by writing your name or by entering a password/command.
Sign-out is usually neutral to formal (especially in workplace/tech contexts); everyday (digital context). in register.
Sign-out: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsaɪn ˈaʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsaɪn ˈaʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Sign out for the day (idiomatic for finishing work).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a hotel: you SIGN IN when you arrive, and you SIGN OUT when you leave. The 'OUT' means you are exiting the system.
Conceptual Metaphor
SYSTEM ACCESS IS A PHYSICAL REGISTER (You 'sign' a book to enter and leave).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'sign out' LEAST likely to be used?